WILLIAMSTOWN, MASS. 11/16/13 – It took the Keene State College women's soccer team nine years to get back to the NCAA Division III Tournament and it has no intention of leaving early.  Making their first trip to the tournament since 2004, the Owls posted a 2-0 shutout victory over Haverford (Pa.) College in a first-round game played at Cole Field in Williamstown, Mass. on Saturday.

"It's a great feeling," said KSC Coach Denise Lyons.  "The girls worked hard and they wanted it.  Everyone is excited right now."

Winners of seven straight games, the Owls (18-4-1) move on to face host Williams College (13-3-2) on Sunday (1:30 p.m.).  The Ephs defeated Lesley University 5-1 earlier in the day. KSC last reached the second-round in 2004, losing to Middlebury 2-0.

Freshman Brittany Tolla (Sandy Hook, Conn.) had a big day for the Owls, scoring  the game-winning goal late in the first half and contributing a key assist on a goal by junior Maggie Grayson (Sugar Hill, Geo.), her first goal for KSC, late in the second half.  Tolla said it was an overwhelming feeling.  "As a freshman, I never expected to go to the NCAA tournament and get a goal.  I can't describe the feeling," she said.

"I had a feeling that Brittany would have a great game," said Lyons. "She works so hard and makes things happen."

The only Owl with NCAA experience, Grayson, who went to the NCCA Division II Championship as a freshman with the College of St. Rose, had some advice for her KSC teammates.  "I told them you'll never know when you get a chance to come back again, so make the most of the opportunity," she said.

KSC junior goalie Torrie Crenson (North Salem, N.Y.) got a rude awakening to the tournament when she was upended while making a save by junior Connie Friedman. The Fords had a chance to break the 0-0 deadlock with just over eight minutes to play when senior Meg Boyer sent a through ball to Friedman, who was in the box by herself.  Crenson came off her line and made a fantastic save to keep the game scoreless.

Keene had a nice look of its own when senior Kara Pavlidis (Lee, N.H.) broke through the Haverford defense, but Haverford junior goalie Robin Chernow fell to her knees to make the save.

Taking advantage of a rare scoring opportunity, Keene State got on the board in the 44th minute.

Following a corner kick by junior Bev Cole (Madbury, N.H.,) senior Jessica Berthiaume (Worcester, Mass.) took a shot that went a Ford defender.  At the right place at the right time, Tolla knocked in the rebound to give the Owls a 1-0 lead.  "We finished our chances today," said Tolla, who now has six goals this season. 

Haverford (14-6) took the play to the Owls to start the second half.  Boyer carried the ball to the right side of the box and fired an uncontested shot at the net that just went wide.   Nearly fifteen minutes into the second half, Haverford was awarded a free kick several yards outside the center of the box.  Senior Elizabeth Newman put the shot on net, but it flew just over the crossbar.

Keene State's defense never let Haverford get a quality shot on net.  "We first had to figure out how they played," said senior captain Kelsie Bailey (Barre, Vt.).   "There was a lot of pressure, but the whole team worked together and came back to help us out." 

"The defensive effort was great," said Lyons.  "I can't pick out just one player. They all worked very hard.  They kept us in the game and we took advantage of our scoring opportunities."

Both defenses packed it in for several minutes, but Keene was able to net a key insurance goal in the 76th minute. Tolla dribbled through several defenders from the left side of the box and passed to Grayson in the center.  Grayson sent a low hard shot into the back of the net to give KSC a two goal lead.

"Bev Cole gave me a great ball down the line and I had space to take it in.  The defenders were coming at me and I saw Maggie wide open and she finished a beautiful ball," said Tolla.

"I saw an opening at the top of the box and Brittany sent me a great ball,' said Grayson. I've been practicing that shot in practice and I nailed it."  It was amazing and took the pressure off of everybody."

Crenson who finished with five save and registered her ninth shutout of the season, said she tried to treat it like any other game.  "We came out there and left everything on the field," said Crenson.  "The defense played great in front of me."

Chernow recorded six for Haverford. Keene totaled sixteen shots in the game; Haverford recorded fifteen.

The Owls know they have a tall task facing them tomorrow against Williams.  "I think we can give Williams a good game tomorrow," said Tolla.  "We're super pumped.  Hopefully we'll play with the same energy like we did today."

"You never know what can happen," said Lyons.  "We're moving on that's the most important thing."