WILLIMANTIC, Conn. 10/8/11 - For the first time since starting their rivalry in 1997, the Keene State College Owls fell to the Warriors of Eastern Conn. State University 3-0 at Thomas Nevers Field on Saturday afternoon.

With the loss the Owls are now 13-1-4 all-time against the Warriors and 5-6-1 on the season (2-2 LEC). Eastern, who came into the game ranked 6th in the region, improves to 8-3-1 overall and remains the only unbeaten team in league play (4-0 LEC).

ECSU forward Mitch Power (Douglass, Mass.) registered the first goal of the contest at the 20:18 mark off a lead pass from sophomore midfielder Luke Capezzone (Colchester, Conn.) for the 1-0 lead.

Sophomore forward Tom Vear (Monson, Mass.) netted a goal in the games 37th minute to extend the advantage to 2-0.

With only 48 seconds remaining in the half, Vear assisted on sophomore midfielder Nathan Mozian's (Southington, Conn.) first goal of the season as Eastern would shutout the Owls in the 3-0 win.

On paper the match was close, as both teams had nine shots and the Warriors had seven corners to KSC's six. But the Owls only managed one shot on goal, from Danny Silverman (Maynard, Mass.) two minutes into the second half.

ECSU netminder Carl Appel (West Windsor, N.J.) finished the contest with one save, while sophomore Malcolm Cheney (Hopkinton, Mass.) and freshman Michael Ketterman (Monson, Mass.) split time in goal for KSC. Cheney made two saves and allowed the three Warrior goals in 68:56 and Ketterman did not face a shot in his 21:04.

The Owls return to action this Tuesday, as they will head to Gordon College for a 3 p.m. game.