KEENE, N.H. 10/5/11 – The Keene State College men's soccer team moved back to the .500 mark with a 3-0 non-conference shutout victory over Salem State University at Owl Athletic Complex on Wednesday night.

            Posting their second straight shutout win, the Owls improve to 5-5-1.  Salem State (6-5) suffered its third consecutive loss.

            Sophomore Scott Douglas (East Greenwich, R.I.) gave Keene State a 1-0 lead at the 26:58 mark of the first half.  Sent in alone on a lead pass from junior Danny Silverman (Maynard, Mass.), Douglas dribbled around Viking junior goalie Scott Hall (Waltham, Mass.) and put the ball into the open net for his second goal of the season. "Danny gave me a great though ball and I was able to get around their goalie for the goal," said Douglas.

            Keene State caught a break late in the half when two Salem State shots were blocked by the Owl defense with sophomore goalie Malcolm Cheney (Hopkinton, Mass.) caught out of the net.

            Recently moved up front, sophomore Bryce Lawlor (Woodbury, Conn.) scored the goal of the game at the 50:37 mark of the second half to give the Owls a 2-0 lead.  Junior Kyle Leavitt (Plymouth, Mass.) started the play by sending a ball into the box.  Standing right in front of the net, Lawlor jumped high in the air and headed the ball into the net for his second goal of the season. "I had a feeling Leavitt was going to cross it in and he gave me a picture-perfect ball. I just dove out for it and hoped for the best," said Lawlor. "Scotty and I are starting to click as a team and we played well today," 

            "Bryce is learning the position very well and is making some things happen,' said KSC Coach Ron Butcher.  "His diving header changed the complexion of the game."

            Senior Cam Blair (Keene, N.H.) made it a 3-0 game a minute and 16 seconds later when his blast from 25-yards out found the top far corner of the net.  It was also his second goal of the season.

            Both teams finished the game with 15 shots on goal.

            Cheney started in goal for KSC and made four saves in his 75:45 between the pipes.  Freshman Michael Ketterman (Monson, Mass.) played the final 14:15 and didn't record a save.

            Hall stopped four shots for the Vikings.

            Both teams return to league play on Saturday.  Keene State has a key Little East game at conference leading Eastern Conn. State.  Salem State is on the road for a MASCAC game at Bridgewater State.  Both contests begin at 1 p.m.