KEENE, N.H. 9/17/11 – Home cook' in tasted mighty fine for the Keene State College women's soccer team on Saturday.  Playing their first game at home after starting the season with five road games, KSC celebrated its return to Owls Athletic Complex with a 4-0 shutout victory over UMass-Boston in the first Little East Conference contest for both teams.

Keene State improves to 3-3, 1-0 LEC while UMB, coached by former Owl All-American Amy Zombeck, fall to 3-2 (0-1 LEC).

"It's hard being away for so many games," said KSC senior Melissa Dempsey (East Weymouth, Mass.), who had a goal and two assists in the game.  "It's great to come back here and get a solid LEC win."

Dempsey put the Owls on the board at the 29:26 mark of the first half.  After a corner kick, sophomore Hayley Kenyon (Exeter, R.I.) had the ball come back out to her in the left corner.  She fired a shot across the box that defected from sophomore Jessica Berthiaume (Worcester, Mass.) over to Dempsey who headed the ball into the net for her first goal of the season.

Keene State's second goal a minute later was a similar play.  This time it was Dempsey who sent the cross in the box that was headed home by freshman Alex Haley (Laconia, N.H.). It was her second goal of the season.

The Beacons' best scoring opportunity in the first half came off the foot of freshman Caitlin Coleman (Willimantic, Conn.), whose drive from 25-yards out hit off the crossbar.

Dempsey set up KSC's third goal in the half when her free kick was deflected into the net by Kenyon.  "I was in the right area at the right time," said Dempsey. It's just feels good to get the first goal and a couple assists.  It was nice that we were able to finish today."

"Melissa not only did her job in the back, but also came up big for us offensively," said KSC Coach Denise Lyons.  "For a defender to do that shows a lot about her."

Senior Julienne McCuish (Mashpee, Mass.) almost got Beacons on the board early in the second half, but KSC senior goalie Megan Dempsey (East Weymouth, Mass.) was able to dive and stop her bid at the left corner of the net.

Junior Erin Griffin (Londonderry, N.H.) scored the Owls' final goal when her drive eluded UMB freshman goalie Dani Perkins (Murrieta, Cal.) and rolled into the corner of the net.

Keene State had slim 15-13 advantage in shots while UMB led KSC 7-4 in corner kicks.  Both goalies, Dempsey and Perkins each finished the game with seven saves.  It was the third shout of the season and 20th of her career for Dempsey.

Keene State has won all 15 games it has played against UMass-Boston in LEC play.

The Owls host Castleton State on Monday (6:30 p.m.)

UMass-Boston is at Fitchburg State on Tuesday (7 p.m.).