NORTH DARTMOUTH, MASS 10/12/13 – Keene State College freshman Brittany Tolla (Sandy Hook, Conn.) scored the lone goal of the match in the 41st minute as the visiting Owls edged the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, 1-0, this afternoon in Little East women's soccer action at Cressy Field.

Keene State (11-2-1) moved into sole possession of first place in the conference standings with an unbeaten record of 4-0, while the Corsairs (7-4-1) evened their league mark at 2-2. "I t wasn't pretty, but we were able to get the win," said KSC Coach Denise Lyons. "We now control our own destiny."

The Owls' nine straight wins is the long streak since 2002 when it won a program best 11 in a row.  

The Owls created the decisive marker off a corner kick with four minutes remaining in the opening stanza. Junior Beverly Cole (Madbury, N.H.) delivered the set piece into the 18-yard box from the left flag. The Corsair defensive attack attempted to clear the corner kick along the left flank, but Cole was able to gather the outlet pass. She served a pass over the top of the UMD backline that allowed Tolla to deposit her third goal of the season into the left side of the net.
UMass Dartmouth carried the play in the second stanza, but the hosts were unable to solve the Keene State backfield. 

The Corsairs generated a quality scoring chance in the 80th minute, when Owl junior netminder Torrie Crenson (North Salem, N.Y.) was unable to field a shot from freshman Talia D'Ambruoso (Warwick, R.I.).  Senior Kathleen Landers (Danvers, Mass.) tried to pounce on the rebound, but her attempted sailed wide left.

Crenson made four stops to earn the victory and her fifth shutout of the season, while senior Michelle Miller (Westford, Mass.) made a pair of saves.

UMD held a slight 11-10 advantage in shots, while also winning four corners compared to Keene State's two.

Keene State returns home to host Amherst College on Wednesday (7 p.m.)

(Courtesy UMD Sports Information)