SPRINGFIELD, Mass. 3/20/12 – With the game tied at 5-5 with just over 20 minutes to go, Springfield College midfielder Allie Davis (Fairfield, Conn.) scored two of her three goals down the stretch, to give the Pride the 8-6 non-conference victory over the Keene State College women's lacrosse team.

"If you are going to lose games I am glad we are doing it against some good teams," said KSC head coach Katie Arsenault. "I guess you could call this a good loss."

Sophomore netminder Erin Taylor (Brewster, N.Y.) had a solid game in net for the Owls, setting aside 12 shots, and continually keeping KSC in the game by stopping free-position shots near the crease. "Erin played really well tonight," said Arsenault. "It's good to see her playing like we know she can again."

Turnovers were the story of the game for the Owls, committing 23 in the game and only clearing the ball out of their own zone nine-out-of-23 times. "We've had more than that in a game this year," said Arsenault. "We were a little careless with the ball at times and we need to get out of our tunnel vision and see our options and the field a little better."

With the loss the Owls drop to 2-2 on the young season, while the victory improves Springfield to 3-3 on the campaign.

KSC, who started slowly, got on the scoreboard almost 15 minutes into the first half as junior midfielder Lauren Brown (Agawam, Mass.) scored the cut into Springfield's lead at 2-1. "Offensively our attack looked uncomfortable at the beginning of the game but things started to open up as the game went on," said Arsenault.

On the very next possession, sophomore midfielder Eliza Witherbee (Newburyport, Mass.) scored at the 14:54 mark, to even the contest at 2-2.

After Springfield took a 3-2 lead on a goal from Meghan Flanagan (Averil Park, N.Y.) on the very next possession, KSC senior captain Sammi Benson (Hampstead, N.H.) scooped up the very next draw control, raced down the field and scored just 13 seconds later to tie the game at 3-3.

The rest of the first half belonged to the Pride, as Flanagan assisted one, and Davis tallied her first at the 8:32 mark to give the Pride a 5-3 lead at the halftime break.

With 23:41 left in the contest, Benson netted her second of the game, and a few minutes later assisted on a goal from senior midfielder Caitlyn Corace (Mahopac, N.Y.) to even the game at five apiece.

Flanagan and Davis staked Springfield out to a 7-5 lead, before Brown found the back of the net again for the Owls to make it 7-6 with 9:15 left.

But Davis gave the Pride a two goal lead with 4:09 left to play, and they were able to keep possession and run out the clock for a 8-6 non-conference loss for the Owls.

Anne Versprille (Franklin, Mass.) made four saves in goal for Springfield in the victory.

In the game the Owls were out shot 24-12, and lost the battle of the groundballs at 16-11.

KSC returns home to Owl Athletic Complex for their first home game of the season, as they will host Westfield State on Saturday at 1 p.m.