KEENE, N.H. 9/27/11 – The Keene State College women's soccer team saw its four game shutout and winning streak come to an end with a 5-1 loss to Middlebury College in non-conference action at Owl Athletic Complex on Tuesday night.  The Panthers came into the game tied for fifth in the most recent NSCAA regional rankings.

The loss drops Keene State's record to 6-4.  It was the third straight win for Middlebury (4-1-1), who were led by sophomore Scarlett Kirks' (San Francisco, Ca.) two goals.

Keene State senior Megan Dempsey (East Weymouth, Mass.), the ECAC defensive player of the week and LEC goalie of the week, kept the Owls in the game with several spectacular saves in the early going.  Just over a minute into the game, she got her fingertips on a drive by junior Maddy Boston (Mill Valley, Ca.) that was ticketed for the top corner of the goal and later came out of her net to stop a point-blank shot by Kirk after an errant clear.

KSC had just a few scoring opportunities in the half, the best chance came from sophomore Jessica Berthiaume (Worcester, Mass.) who broke in from the left side, but her bid sailed just wide of the far post.

Dempsey continued to keep the Panthers at bay, stopping a breakaway attempt by Kirk that came on a play that Owl defenders thought was off-sides.

Dempsey, who hadn't given up a goal in 362 minutes and 52 seconds, was finally beaten at the 35:25 mark of the half on a goal by Kirk getting free for a shot with an Owl defender right beside her.  Two minutes later, junior Hannah Newton gave Middlebury a 2-0 halftime lead when her a long floating shot from 40-yards out went just over the outstretched hand of Dempsey and under the cross bar.

The Panthers scored three more times in the second half before the Owls got on the board in the closing minutes.  Kirk and freshman Carter Talgo (Rye, N.Y.) scored almost identical goals on shots from the top of box to make it 4-0.Junior Amy Schlueter (San Francisco, Ca.)  completed the scoring for Middlebury with a shot that found the far corner of the net.

Keene State avoided the shutout with less than four minutes to play when junior Brittany Croteau (Swanzey, N.H.) took a pass from senior Sia Karamourtopolous (Fremont, N.H.) and scored her fourth goal of the season. 

The Panthers outshot the Owls 19-12 and had a wide 8-3 advantage in corner kicks. 

Dempsey finished the game with eight saves.  Junior Jocelyn Remmert (Pelham, N.H.) stopped three shots for the Panthers.

Keene State is at Worcester State on Thursday (7 p.m.).  Middlebury is off until Saturday when it hosts Wesleyan (11 a.m.).