KEENE, N.H. 10/7/13 – The Keene State women's soccer team slip slide its way to its seventh straight win, a 4-0 non-conference shutout victory over Castleton (Vt.) State at soggy Owl Athletic Complex in a rare Monday night game.

The Owls got single goals from seniors Jessica Berthiaume (Worcester, Mass.). Kara Pavlidis (Lee, N.H.) and Brittany Boscarino (Ellington, Conn.) and junior Alex Haley (Laconia, N.H.). "Alex gave me the perfect ball," said Pavlidis.  "It set the tone for the rest of the game."

It was the Owls' second consecutive and fifth shutout of the season.  "We pulled it together. This is one of the strongest defensive crews we've had in the last couple of years," said senior back Kelsie Bailey (Barre, Vt.). "The players who come in off the bench also come in and do a great job."  

Keene State (9-2-1) got on the board at the 24:28 mark on a nice passing play.  Senior Kristen Huckins (Westmoreland, N.H.) sent a through ball to Haley on the left side.  Haley one-timed a cross to Pavlidis who was standing alone in front and knocked the ball into the open net for her fourth goal of the season and her third in the last two games.

Looking to add to the Owls lead three minutes later, Haley broke in alone, but Castleton freshman goalie Jessica Binkowski (Goshen, Conn.) came out and stopped her shot.

The Owls did get their second goal at the 15:30 mark.  After being taken down in the box, Boscarino was awarded a penalty kick.  Boscarino's shot to the right side deflected off Binkowski and into the net for her fifth goal of the season.   

The rain subsided in the second and Owls took advantage of the better field conditions, taking a 3-0 lead at the 38:30 lead.  Bailey, the Little East Conference defensive player of the week, sent classmate Jessica Berthiaume (Worcester, Mass.) away and she didn't miss, scoring her team leading eighth goal of the season.  "We talked about at halftime because they pull so far up," said Bailey about their strategy.  "I heard her yelling and I just picked up my head and just went for it.

Haley put the Owls up 4-0 three minutes later when she drove a cross from Berthiaume into the far corner of the net.

KSC junior goalie Torrie Crenson (North Salem, N.Y.) preserved her shutout minutes later when she tipped a direct kick by Spartan senior Halie Roberge (Southington, Conn.) just over the cross bar. Crenson finished the game with eight saves for her fourth shutout of the season.

Binkowski also came up with a big save for Castleton moment later, coming out and denying Pavlidis.  Binkowski also stopped eight shots for the Spartans (9-4), who had their four game winning streak snapped.

As far as the conditions were concerned, Pavlidis said it was slippery.  "The ball skipped a lot, but we were able to keep it under control," she said.

"It started out a little tough, but once we got going the rain stopped and the san dthey put down last week seemed to soak up alot of the water," said Bailey.

Keene State is at Worcester State on Wednesday (7 p.m.).