PROVIDENCE, R.I. 4/14/12 – The Keene State College women's lacrosse team defeated Rhode Island College 20-12 in a Little East game played in Providence on Saturday, tying the school record with its eighth consecutive win.

It was also the 49th career win for Owl Coach Katie Arsenault, tying her with Emily Johnson for the most victories by a KSC women's lacrosse coach.

Junior Lauren Brown (Agawam, Mass.) netted five goals for Keene State, (10-2, 3-0 LEC) which remains tied with Plymouth State for the top spot in the LEC.  Rhode Island falls to 2-7 (0-3 LEC).  Brown has a team-leading 34 goals.

Keene State jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the opening minutes of the game and never looked back.  Senor Caitlyn Corace (Mahopac, N.Y.) and sophomore Eliza Witherbee (Newburyport, Mass.) scored goals in the final minute of the first half to give the Owls a 9-5 lead at the break. 

After RIC scored the first goal of the second half, the Owls reeled off three quick goals in a span of two minutes to extend their lead to 12-6.

"We started seeing cutters and being more patient with the ball in the second half," said Arsenault. 

"We started slow and then picked it up later in the game and began making smarter plays," said freshman Polly Grey (Saratoga, N.Y.), who had two goals and a season high four assists. 

Witherbee had another big game with four goals and two assists while Corace finished with three goals.  Sophomores Ashley Borjeson (Londonderry, N.H.) and Julie Trombetta (Trumbull, Conn.) also chipped in with two goals.

Freshman Jessica Ricci (Hope, R.I.) had five goals to lead the Anchorwomen. 

Making her second start of the season, junior goalie Christine Collins (Cheshire, Conn.) finished the game with three saves for the Owls.  Sophomore Taryn Carbone (Cranston, R.I.) stopped 16 shots for RIC.

Borjeson had a team high six ground balls and junior Nicole Curry (Hampstead, N.H.) contributed a game high eight draw controls.

Keene State will be at Plymouth State on Tuesday for a key Little East game.