NORTON, MA 9/10/11– Wheaton College scored two first half goals and hung on for a 2-1 win against Keene State College in non-conference men's soccer action at Mirrione Stadium in Norton, Mass. on Saturday.

Keene State slips to 1-2-1 while Wheaton (1-2-1) snapped a three game winless streak.

All the scoring took place in the first half.  Senior Max Swanson (Lexington, MA) and junior Federico Kelly (Hingham, MA/Hingham) put Wheaton up 2-0.  Swanson's goal came on a penalty kick.

The Owls' goal came with three minutes to play in the half.  Sophomore Nick Greenwood (Peterborough, N.H.) was pulled down from behind in the box and senior Michael Broder (Peterborough, N.H.) scored on a penalty kick.

In the second half, the Owls, who have not scored more than one goal in any of their four matches this season, elevated their played. KSC Coach sent a message in the second half, benching most of his upperclassmen.  "I started six freshmen and Wheaton never crossed midfield the rest of the game," said KSC Coach Ron Butcher.  "They played hard, but we just couldn't get the equalizer."

Keene State almost tied the game in the closing seconds when junior Kyle Leavitt (Plymouth, Mass.) crossed the ball to the far post.  Lyon freshman goalie Jeff Paer mishandled the ball off the cross-bar, but the Owls weren't able to get a foot on the ball.

Butcher was pleased with the play of freshmen Yazid Eidah (Haverhill, Mass.), Brett Sullivan (Barrington, R.I.) and Pat Anthony (Southampton, Mass.).  The game marked the return of sophomore forward Scott Douglas, who missed the first three games with a back injury. 

I think we're finding out that we have some skilled freshman players," Butcher said.  "They pushed the upperclassmen to the brink. And if the upperclassmen don't want to come back and reclaim their positions, then we're going to go with the young guys."   

The Lyons finished the game with a slim 10-8 advantage in shots.

Sophomore goalie Malcolm Cheney (Hopkinton, Mass.) made six saves for KSC.  Paer stopped three shots for Wheaton.

Keene State hosts Western New England on Wednesday (6:30 p.m.).