Springfield, Mass. 9/8/10 - The Springfield College men's soccer team used goals from Eric Stalsburg and Scott Saucier in the opening 11:35 of the game to topple Keene State, 2-0, in a non-conference clash on Wednesday evening at the Irv Schmid Sports Complex.

The win boosts Springfield's record to 3-0 this season, while the Owls lose for the first time in 2010, dropping to 3-1.

This marks the first time that Springfield has defeated Keene State since September 16, 1998 when the Pride was victorious, 3-2.

Stalsburg scored a goal for the third straight game as he put the hosts up 1-0 just 6:19 into the contest. After a clearance out of the back by John Mankus, a Keene State defender mistimed the ball at midfield, allowing it to bounce over his head. Stalsburg made the most of the miscue as he raced nearly 30 yards untouched until he slipped home his third marker of the season.

The Pride benefited from a bit of luck as it went up 2-0 just 5:16 later. After Keene State was called for a foul, Springfield was awarded a non-threatening free kick from 40 yards away. With a heavy wind at his back, Saucier sent a ball into the box that Keene State goalie Nick Allman (Newburyport, Mass.) misjudged, allowing the ball to bounce into the back of the net.

The Owls nearly made it a one-goal game in the 14th minute, but Cam Blair's (Keene, N.H.) bid from 10 yards out found the crossbar before being scooped up by goalie Chris Walton.

Walton recorded his second-consecutive clean sheet as he posted four saves in the win. Allman ended the game with three saves for the Owls.

Keene State finished with a 15-12 edge in shots and a 5-3 advantage in corner kicks.

The Owls return to action on Saturday, when they host regional-rival Wheaton College at 1 p.m.

(Courtesy Springfield College Sports Information)