KEENE, N.H. 9/22/12 – Junior Brian Swindell's (Milford, Mass.) goal 2:22 into the first overtime lifted the Keene State College men's soccer team to a 2-1 victory over the University of Southern Maine in a Little East Conference game played at Owl Athletic Complex on Saturday.

            It was the fifth win in the last six games for the Owls (6-2, 2-0 LEC).  Southern Maine, which suffered its fifth straight loss, falls to 1-7 and 0-2 in conference play.

            Senior back Ian Ferguson (Millwood, N.Y.) set up the winning goal by lofting the ball into the box.  Swindell headed the ball into far corner for his second goal in as many games.

            "They gave me all that space, so I pretty much had all the time I needed to tee it up and serve a nice ball to Swindell," said Ferguson. 

            "It's just like any other cross. Ian plays those balls in all the time during practice, and it was another one that I could put my head on," said Swindell.  "Given the circumstances, I just had to sell my soul. I think I worked hard for it." 

            Southern Maine opened the scoring at the 5:19 mark of the first half.  Freshman Luke Pugsley (Kennebunk, Me.) sent a short pass ahead to freshman Harrison Hall (Kennebunkport, Me.) who buried a hard shot in the far corner of the net.

            After a sluggish first half, Keene State took control of the game and got the equalizer at the 57:06 mark of the second half.  USM senior goalie Jeremy Turner (Portland, Me.) was able to make the initial stop on a shot by KSC senior Kyle Leavitt (Plymouth, Mass.), but senior Preston Ingram (Derby, Vt.) knocked in the rebound to knot the score at one-all with his first goal of the season.

            Keene State had several opportunities to win the game in regulation.  Turner came up big, diving to make a save on a bid by Swindell later in the half.

            However, Swindell wouldn't be denied in overtime. 

            "I'm happy for Brian," said KSC Coach Ron Butcher.  "He had a broken leg last season and he's starting to get back into it."

            KSC senior goalie Malcolm Cheney finished the game with three saves.  Turner tuned aside 10 shots for Southern Maine.

           Keene State outshot USM 22-8, limiting the Huskies to just three shots in the second half and overtime.  The Owls had a wide 12-2 advantage in corner kicks.

            The Owls dropped a 2-1 overtime game to Southern Maine in Gorham last season.

            Both teams return to action on Wednesday.  Keene State is at Babson College (3:30 p.m.) and Southern Maine return home to face Colby College (4 p.m.).