WESTFIELD, Mass. 9/7/11 – The Keene State College women's soccer rallied from a 3-0 deficit to make it a one goal game, but fell 3-2 to the Westfield State Owls on Wednesday night at Alumni Field.

"We fell behind early and couldn't catch-up," said  KSC Coach Denise Lyons. "We had a few chances to tie the game in the second half.  Jessica Berthiaume (Worcester, Mass.) had a shot that looked like it was going in, but their goalie came out of nowhere to make the save. Late in the game Joan Hamel (Weare, N.H.) hit the cross-bar. It just wasn't our night."

With the loss KSC drops to 1-1 on the season, while Westfield improves to a perfect 3-0 on the year.

The Westfield State Owls took a quick 2-0 lead, less than six minutes into the game on goals from Allanah Vargus (East Bridgewater, Mass.) and Leann Rivard (Chicopee, Mass.).

At the 17:47 mark, Westfield added another on a strike from Brittanie McGregor (Ludlow, Mass.) for the 3-0 advantage.

But KSC fought back, as senior Sia Karamourtopolous (Fremont, N.H.) scored her first goal of 2011 to cut the lead down to 3-1 about midway through the first half.

Freshman midfielder Alex Haley (Laconia, N.H.) scored her first collegiate goal at the 62:14 mark to cut the Westfield lead to 3-2. Haley scored on a scrum in front of the net following a direct kick. But the Owls were unable to tack on the equalizer as Westfield State pulled away with a 3-2 victory.

The play of the game was a spectacular effort on the defensive end by Westfield senior Kate Wye (Blackstone, Mass.) with 21 minutes remaining. Berthiaume blasted a nice cross shot past the outstretched hands of Westfield freshman goalie Nicky Stasz (Easthampton, Mass.). The ball was headed for inside the left post when Wye came out of nowhere, jumping high and kicking the ball away from the goal for a sensational save.

KSC senior goaltender Megan Dempsey (East Weymouth, Mass.) had five saves and allowed three goals in the losing effort (1-1), while Westfield State goalies Jess Habif (Holliston, Mass.) and Stasz, played a half each, each allowing one Keene State goal, with Habif stopping three shots and Stasz setting aside one.

Keene outshot Westfield, 12-8, but all eight of Westfield's shots were on goal. Keene had six shots on goal.

The Keene State College Owls return to action Saturday, September 10th, as they will travel to Wellesley for a 1 p.m. start. The Owls also square off against Babson this weekend, on Sunday at 1 p.m.