KEENE, N.H. 10/16/13 – The Keene State College women's soccer team saw its nine game winning streak come to an end with a 3-1 non-conference loss to nationally ranked Amherst College at Owl Athletic Complex on Wednesday night.

The Owls, who are ranked 10th in New England, fall to 11-3-1.  Amherst, ranked 23rd nationally and third in New England, improve to 8-1-2.

Despite the loss, KSC Coach Denise Lyons was pleased with the play of her team.  "I don't think the result reflects the score," said Lyons.  "We were in it. We had opportunities and we played hard.  We showed a lot of grit against a very good team.  They knew it was going to be an uphill battle, but they never gave up."

"The score doesn't reflect the way we played," said Alex Haley who scored the lone Owls goal in the game. "We all played for each other, so I'm really proud of what we did tonight."

Amherst took a 1-0 lead at the 35:37 mark of the first half when sophomore Megan Kim (Newport Beach, Ca.) jumped on a loose ball and drove it through traffic in front and into the net.

Keene State dodged a couple of bullets later in the half.  Lord Jeff sophomore Jessy Hale (Rolling Hills Estate, Ca.) beat Owl junior goalie Torrie Crenson (North Salem, N.Y.) to the ball in the box, but her shot sailed just over the crossbar.  A few minutes later, KSC sophomore back Jennifer Wilson (Plymouth, Mass.) blocked a shot by senior Chloe McKenzie (Upper Marlboro, Md.) ticketed for the short side.

McKenzie gave Amherst a 2-0 lead with four minutes to go in the half.  Crenson made the initial stop on a shot by senior Amanda Brisco (Houston, Tex.), but McKenzie jumped on the rebound, putting the ball into the open net.

Keene State cut the Jeff's lead in half with just eight seconds to play before the break.  Junior Bev Cole (Madbury, N.H.) sent a cross in front that deflected off Amherst goalie sophomore Holly Burwick (New Canaan, Conn.).  Haley (Laconia, N.H.) pounced on the loose ball and put it into the net for her second goal of the season.

The Jeffs got their two goal lead back at the 40:23 mark of the second half.  Keene State couldn't clear the ball on a corner and senior Hannah Cooper Bethesda, Md.) took advantage, scoring to give Amherst a 3-1 lead.

Amherst outshot Keene State 20-10.

Crenson finished the game with seven saves.  Burwick stopped three shots for the Jeffs.

Keene State will host UMass-Boston in a key Little East Conference game on Saturday (1 p.m.)