KEENE, N.H. 5/13/10 – The Keene State College men's lacrosse team will have little time to savor its first-round 21-7 NCAA tournament victory over Castleton State. After practicing on Thursday, the Owls will board a bus Friday afternoon for Cortland, N.Y.   Keene State's second-round game against Cortland State is scheduled for 1 p.m. The Red Dragons received a first-round bye.

What's the Owls' reward for defeating Castleton?  How about a 250 mile, five hour trip to play the defending national Division III champion Red Dragons of Cortland State?

After dropping consecutive early-season games to Gettysburg (7-5) and Salisbury (12-11), the third-ranked Red Dragons (15-2) has reeled off 14 straight wins, earning their way into the tournament with a 17-5 victory over 12th-ranked Geneseo in the SUNYAC Championship game.

No stranger to the tournament, Cortland is making its 10th consecutive appearance in the NCAA Div. III tournament and its 19th overall. The Red Dragons have made four straight trips to the national championship game, winning titles in 2006 and 2009.

Despite their lofty lacrosse credentials, the Owls are anxious to play Cortland.

“The next step is definitely a little harder,” said sophomore Matt Schairer, who netted five goals in the Owls' opening-round win over the Spartans. “Cortland State is going to be a big challenge for us.”

“It will be a privilege to play on the same field as them,” said LEC offensive player of the year Griffin Meehan, who set a KSC season assists (36) record and became the first Owl to eclipse the 100-point mark (68-36-104) in Wednesday's win. “We have nothing to lose.” 

“You might as well take out the big dog while you can,” said senior defender Easton Kezer.  “We'll bring it to them and show them what Keene State lacrosse is all about.”

Keene State Coach Mark Theriault said it will be David vs. Goliath. “We're not intimidated by them.  These are the teams we want to play against and this is the national spotlight we want to be in,” he said.  “This gives legitimacy to the program.” 

Both teams have potent offenses.  In addition to Meehan, who leads Division III in points per game (5.71) and is second in goals per game (3.88), Schairer (52-21-73) and freshman Taylor Jette (34-18-52) have been major threats.

The Red Dragons counter with senior Brian Kol (36-13-49), sophomore Mike Tota (35-11-46), and SUNYAC player of the year junior Chris DeLuca (30-14-44).

Keene State, riding a 10-game winning streak, is making its third appearance in the NCAA Div. III Tournament. In 2005, the Owls dropped an opening-round game to Endicott, 11-10. In 2007, Keene State defeated Merchant Marine, 14-11, at home before falling to Western New England, 13-5. The Owls earned an automatic berth into the 2010 playoffs after beating Eastern Connecticut, 14-10, in the championship game of the Little East tournament.

Saturday's winner will face the winner of the RIT/Connecticut College game in the Division III quarterfinals, Wednesday, May 19.