GORHAM, MAINE 11/2/13 -- Senior forward Scott Douglas (East Greenwich, R.I.) scored three times and dished out two assists as the Keene State College Owls defeated the University of Southern Maine Huskies, 6-1, in Little East Conference men's soccer action Saturday afternoon at Hannaford Field.

            It's the fourth time Douglas, who now has 14 goals on the season,  has scored three goals in a game in his KSC career. "They just led him run crazy and having Eddie Mercer back really helpe," said KSC Coach Ron Butcher.

            The victory was the third straight in conference play for the Owls who finished the regular season 7-11 overall and 5-2 in LEC play.  The Owls will be the third seed in the four-team Little East championship tournament and play a semifinal game at second seed UMass-Dartmouth on Wednesday.  The Huskies finished their season 0-18-1 overall and 0-7 in conference games.

            Prior to the start of the game, the USM athletic department and men's soccer program took a moment to honor long-time Keene State College head coach Ron Butcher who is stepping down at the conclusion of the season after 43 seasons as the Owls mentor.

            Douglas had a hand in each of the Owls' first five goals.  He opened the scoring in the sixth minute taking a right side pass from junior Kaleb Lique-Naitove (Keene, N.H.) and beating USM goalkeeper Stephen Sweatt (Scarborough, Maine) from 12 yards out for his 12th marker of the season.

            In the 18th minute, Southern Maine received an own goal to tie the score.  A Keene State defender, in a foot race with a USM player, misplayed his clearing attempt of a bouncing ball over the goalkeeper and into his own net.

            Douglas needed only 27 seconds to restore the Owls' advantage running onto a pass from junior Nate Banas (Monson, Mass.) that split the USM defense and beating Sweatt to the far post.  The 2-1 score would hold up until halftime.

            Keene State got a pair of goals within a span of 1:31 early in the second half to take firm command of the game.  Douglas set up senior Brian Swindell (Milford, Mass.) at 49:49 for Swindell's fifth goal of the season before completing his hat trick at 51:20 by converting an assist from junior Michael Jacques (Tolland, Conn.) into his team-leading 14th goal.

            Sophomore Eric Dietz (Woodland, Conn.) added another insurance marker, assisted by Douglas, in the 63rd minute.  Rookie Jeremy Schneider (Pleasantville, N.Y.) completed the scoring with an unassisted goal in the 89th minute.

            KSC junior goalkeeper Mike Ketterman (Monson, Mass.) earned the win making four saves.  Sweatt recorded seven saves before being lifted for freshman Matthew Willis (Standish, Maine/Bonny Eagle) in the 70th minute.  Willis registered one save over the final 20 minutes.

(Courtesy USM Sports Information)