KEENE, N.H. 10/25/11- Wheaton College, ranked fifth in New England, spoiled Keene State College's senior night with a 1-0 non-conference women's soccer victory over the Owls on Tuesday night. 

Joy-Marie Fernandes (Woburn, Mass.) scored the lone goal of the game at the at the 15:15 mark of the first half.   Following a breakdown by the Owls' defense on the left end-line, junior Cassey Muse (Candia, N.H.) was able to send a cross over to Fernandes who knocked the ball into the net.

After being held in check by the Lyons' defense, Keene State took it to Wheaton in the second half, but couldn't find the back of the net.

Keene State's best opportunity to get on the board came five minutes into the second half.  Junior Joan Hamel (Weare, N.H.) raced down the left side and let go a drive that Wheaton senior goalie Lindsay Leddy (Warwick, R.I.) just got a hand on.   The ball rolled just wide of the far post.  "I had a couple of great opportunities, I just couldn't find the back of the net," said Hamel.  

Later in the half, the Lyons had a couple opportunities to net an insurance goal.  KSC senior goalie Megan Dempsey (East Weymouth, Mass.) came out to the top of the box and was able to stop a shot by Fernandes.  A few minutes later, Muse hit the post with a drive from 20-yards out.

Junior Brittany Croteau (Swanzey, N.H.) made a bid to get the equalizer for the Owls with 16:16 to play, but Leddy was up to the challenge, coming out the break down the angle and making the save. 

"The effort was there.  We knew we had to be on top of our game to beat them," said KSC Coach Denise Lyons.  "I think we dominated play in the second half.   If we play the way we did tonight against Western Conn. on Saturday, I think we have a good shot of winning the conference title."

The Owls, who have dropped two out of their last three games, fall to 12-7.  Wheaton (13-2-3) posts its second straight shutout.

Each team finished the game with 11 shots.  Dempsey made four saves for the Owls.  Leddy stopped five shots for the Lyons. 

Prior to the game KSC honored its four seniors; twin sisters Megan and Melissa Dempsey of East Weymouth, Mass.), Sia Karamourtopoulos of Fremont, N.H. and Londonderry, N.H. native Erin Griffin.

Keene State will now get set for its key Little East Conference game at Western Conn. on Saturday.  With a win, KSC will claim the LEC regular season title and the top seed in the upcoming tournament. 

Wheaton is at Salem State on Thursday.