KEENE, N.H. 11/6/11 – After missing out on the big dance the last two seasons, the Keene State College field hockey team will return to the NCAA Championship Tournament after a 2-0 victory over in-state rival Plymouth State University on Sunday afternoon at Owl Athletic Complex in the Little East Conference Championship game.

The Owls (19-4) earn the programs eighth overall Little East Tournament Championship and their sixth berth into the NCAA Tournament.

"Plymouth is a very strong team," said KSC head coach Amy Watson. "We knew it was going to be a battle, but I am happy for our seniors and our team."

Finding the back of the net for the Owls, seniors Elizabeth Coffin (Sugar Hill, N.H.) and Aislynn Sherry (Rehoboth, Mass.) each netted goals in the victory. "Izzy's (Coffin) goal was just business as usual," said Watson. "She has been doing that all year for us. Sherry's was just as big and she was in the right place, at the right time and that was not an accident."

Plymouth (17-3) went on the offensive early, earning a pair of penalty corners in the games seventh minute. Both times Sherry ran out and interrupted the Panthers play, clearing the ball out of danger and away from the goal. "We moved Aislynn into that role about half way through the season and boy has it paid off," said Watson. "She gets out their quick and breaks up the play, and that's a huge skill for us that doesn't show up in the stat sheet."

KSC had their first solid scoring chance of the contest at the 25:03 mark, as junior Kalin Billert (Center Conway, N.H.) wiggled free in the net and Panther netminder Hilary Lemelin (Milan, N.H.) made a nice kick save to keep the contest scoreless.

Plymouth tried to answer the bell, as forwards Christina Parisi (Hampton, N.H.) and Jackie Morin (Scarborough, Maine) each had shots on goal, but KSC freshman goalie Caitlyn Davino-Draper (Hanover, Mass.) set aside both shots to prolong the games 0-0 tie.

At the 11:30 mark, the Owls hit the scoreboard, as Coffin and senior Kerry Howe (Atlantic Highlands, N.J.) worked the give-and-go off a penalty corner to beat the outstretched Lemelin for the 1-0 lead.

In the second-half Plymouth pushed the tempo offensively and continued to threaten the KSC defense. Junior Olivia Colborn (Lancaster, N.H.) hit the ball out of mid-air right next to the net, but the ball sailed just wide. Moments later, senior Lauren Bergeron (New Hampton, N.H.)  had two chances and Erin Norris (Hilton, N.Y.) had another, but Davino-Draper knocked down all three attempts and a Panther foul ended the threat.

At the 22:42 mark KSC put the contest out of reach, as senior captain Jacki Benson (Hampstead, N.H.) struck a nice crossing pass in the circle to a wide-open Sherry that put the Owls up 2-0 and gave KSC their first LEC title since 2008.

The Panthers outshot the Owls 13-10 on the contest held a 8-6 advantage in penalty corners. Lemelin made seven saves and allowed the two KSC goals in the losing effort, while Davino-Draper made nine saves in the shutout victory.

For her stellar play in the tournament, Howe was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player.

The NCAA field will be announced on Sunday night at 10 p.m. and the Owls will find out who and where they are playing. Click on the link below to find out the 2011 field.

http://www.ncaa.com/sports/fieldhockey/d3

(Photos are Courtesy Chris Palermo)