Keene, N.H. 9/8/12 – Sophomore Michael Jacques' (Tolland, Conn.) goal with 3:15 to go in the first overtime lifted Keene State College to a 2-1 non-conference men's soccer victory over Wheaton College on Saturday.

            It was the second consecutive overtime win for the Owls (3-1), who defeated Springfield College 2-1 in an extra period game on Wednesday. It was the first loss of the season for Wheaton (3-1) and the first time the Owls defeated the Lyons since 2005.

            The winning goal was set up by a cross by senior Ian Ferguson (Millwood, N.Y.) from the left side.  Jacques came across the middle and headed the ball into the far corner for his first goal of the season. "I knew as soon as Ian made the cross I had to get a head on it.  Luckily it went in back post," said Jacques.  I wanted to get the win for our team."

            "That was a great play by Jacques," said KSC Coach Ron Butcher.  "He hasn't been playing much because he's been in my doghouse.  So I put him in today and he has three crisp shots on goal and the third one is the game-winner.  It must be good coaching." 

            Just a few minutes after entering the game, junior Bryce Lawlor (Woodbury, Conn.) almost got the Owls on the board, but Wheaton sophomore goalie Jeff Paer (Fair Lawn, N.J.) was up to the challenge, stopping his low, hard shot with a diving save.

            Wheaton went up 1-0 less than two minutes later when sophomore Travis Blair (Hastings, N.Y.) headed home a crossing ball from sophomore Jacob Battipaglia (Guilford, Conn.) at the 23:54mark.

            Keene State got the tying goal with 7:32 to play in the first half.  Setting up for a corner kick, Lawlor lofted the ball into the crease. Paer came out, but missed the ball.  Standing on the far corner, senior Blake Nyman (Plymouth, Mass.) nudged the ball into the open net to knot the score.  It was the second career goal for the All-LEC back.

            A miscue on the Owls' backline almost resulted in a Lyons goal in the finals seconds of regulation play, but KSC junior goalie Malcolm Cheney (Hopkinton, Mass.) was able to grab the ball before it went over the goal line.

            Keene State took it to Wheaton in the overtime period.  The Owls hard work paid off with a key victory.  "It's great to beat a team like Wheaton,' said Butcher.  "I told the boys today was a great win, but now everybody is going to have you're back."

            The Owls had a slim 23-19 advantage in shots while Wheaton (7-6) had a slight edge in corner kicks.

            Both Cheney and Paer were credited with seven saves in the game.

            Keene State is at Western New England on Wednesday (4 p.m.).