KEENE, N.H. 4/3/10 – The Keene State College women's lacrosse team, led by junior midfielder Jamie Albert's (Southington, Conn.) nine-point and seven goal performance, defeated the Warriors of Eastern Conn. State University 20-14 on Saturday afternoon at Owl Athletic Complex in a rematch of last season's Little East Conference Championship game.

The Owls jumped out to an early 5-2 lead over the Warriors, after junior attack Jill Kirk (Port Jefferson Station, N.Y. ) took a pass from sophomore Emily Persano (Somers, Conn.) at the 21:27 mark to beat ECSU goalie Nancy Ibrahim.

The Warriors battled back, led by Daniela Marchitto's four consecutive goals, to give the visitors the lead at 6-5 with 16:57 remaining in the first half.

KSC took the lead back, going on a 5-2 run of their own, led by Albert's four goals during the stretch to give the Owls a 10-8 lead at the break.

In the second-half, ECSU cut the lead to three, as Marchitto netted her fifth tally of the game, on an assist from Taylor MacDonald to make it only 13-10 KSC.

But the Owls would not be denied, as Kirk's goal with 36 seconds left, sealed the deal for KSC in the 20-14 LEC season-opening win.

Kirk finished behind Albert in points with seven on four goals and three helpers. Sophomore midfielder Caitlyn Corace (Mahopac, N.Y.) had three scores and Persano had two goals and an assist in the victory.

ECSU was led by Marchitto's five goals on the day. Ashley Prizio netted four goals in the loss, while Brook Wayte and MacDonald also pitched in with two tallies.

The Owls cleared the zone 17-22 times, while ECSU only could get it across 12-21. KSC also outshot the Warriors 35-30 in the contest.

Freshman netminder Christine Collins (Cheshire, Conn.) allowed five goals in and stopped one shot in just over 12 and a half minutes of action before giving way to sophomore Alyssa Marinaccio (Narragansett, R.I.) for the remaining 47:29. Marinaccio made big saves, including three on free-position shots late in the second half to total 10 saves on the game in the victory.

The Owls return to action, Monday April 5th, with another road contest at in-state rival New England College for a 4 p.m. start.