WESTFIELD, Mass. 10/20/2011 – Senior forward Elizabeth Coffin (Sugar Hill, NH) scored in the 15th minute as Keene State College edged Westfield State University, 1-0, in a fast-paced Little East Conference field hockey game on Thursday evening. The contest, originally scheduled for Wednesday night, was rescheduled due to poor weather.

"I knew it was going to be a close game," said KSC head coach Amy Watson. "We always have trouble down in Westfield and they just kept coming at us all game."

Keene State remains in first place in the 12-team Little East Conference with a 9-0 record in league play and 13-4 overall. Westfield (10-4, 5-4 LEC) saw its four-game winning streak snapped.

Coffin scored after senior forward Aislynn Sherry (Rehoboth, Mass.) dribbled the ball all the way down the field and crossed for a wide open shot and the 1-0 advantage. "Aislynn hit a nice crossing ball that just bounced over everyone's stick and I was their all alone for the goal. It was a great pass."

KSC had the only eight shots in the game, seven in the first half, as both teams countered well defensively. Westfield attempted two shots, including a shot by Jessi Gould that was just wide of the left post midway through the first half.

 Keene also led in penalty corners, 8-2. KSC freshman goaltender Caitlin Davino-Draper (Hanover, Mass.) earned the shutout without facing a shot-on-goal. Westfield goalie Amanda McCarthy registered three saves in the losing effort.

Keene State returns home Saturday, as they will host UMass Dartmouth for a key Little East Conference matchup at 1:30 p.m. "UMass Dartmouth has been a real tough game for us in the past few years," said Coffin. "It's a huge advantage that the game is on our turf."