KEENE, N.H. 4/14/12 – In a game that featured 53 turnovers, three Keene State College men's lacrosse players netted three goals each and freshman goalies Jack Rogers (Acton, Mass.) and Eric Palmer (Hinesburg, VT) allowed only one goal each, as the Owls rolled to an 18-2 victory over Salem State in Little East Conference action on Saturday afternoon at Owl Athletic Complex.

Winners of two straight, the Owls improve to .500 on the year at 5-5 and 2-1 in LEC play, while the Vikings drop to 3-9 overall and 0-3 in league action.

Junior midfielder Ian Hart (Richmond, N.H.) had three tallies to go along with two assists, for a game-high five points on the day. Senior captain Matt Schairer (Wrentham, Mass.) totaled three goals and an assist, while junior midfielder Taylor Wicke (Fairfield, Conn.) also scored three times, to lead a balanced KSC scoring attack.

Salem State, who was outshot by the Owls 52-19, had both of their goals scored by junior Jesse Fentross (Tewksbury, Mass.). Fentross' first goal came with 10:57 left in the first quarter, to cut the KSC lead to 2-1. The goal was assisted by sophomore Frank Lento (Salem, Mass.).

After that KSC would rattle off seven unanswered goals, with Schairer scoring on a rising shot from freshman Kevin Carey (Mahopac, N.Y.) with 1:32 left in the half to take a 9-1 lead into the halftime break.

Fentross' other lone score, came in the opening moments of the second half, as the Vikings won the face-off and scored to make it 9-2 KSC.

KSC would then go on another 9-0 run to close out the game, with freshman attacker Brooks Billingham (Plymouth, Mass.) scoring a back-breaking shorthanded goal at the 4:13 mark in the third quarter.

Freshman midfielder Maxwell Jendrick (Hampstead, N.H.) scored the first goal of his career at the 5:50 mark in the fourth quarter to account for the 18-2 final.

Palmer and Rogers each made four saves in 30 minutes of action, with Rogers earning his first career win for his efforts in the first half.

Vikings starting goaltender Kyle Tuneburg (Beverly, Mass.) gave a strong effort in two-plus quarters of action, stopping 13 shots and allowing 12 KSC  goals in the losing effort. Freshman Dylan Svenson (Billerica, Mass.) made five saves and allowed six goals in the remaining 23 minutes of action for Salem.

Both Salem State and Keene State had trouble caring for the ball in the game, with the Vikings committing 27 turnovers, while the Owls had 26. KSC converted 21-of-25 clear attempts, but Salem only finished 13-of-24 in the loss.

As a team the Owls dominated the face-offs, taking 20-of-24 from the Vikings. Senior midfielder David Shaw (Acton, Mass.) won 11-of-15, while junior Andrew Sutton (Norfolk, Mass.) was a perfect five-for-five for KSC.

The Owls return to action on Wednesday, as they will travel to UMass Boston for a 3 p.m. road LEC contest. Salem also has a road conference matchup on Wednesday, as they will travel o WestConn for a 7 p.m. nightcap.