KEENE, N.H. 9/18/13 – Nothing has come easy this season for the Keene State College men's soccer team – even when it comes to breaking a record five game losing streak.

Trailing by a goal with 20 minutes to play, the Owls (1-5) rallied for their first win of the season, defeating Worcester State University 3-2 at Owl Athletic Complex on Wednesday night.

KSC Coach Ron Butcher said it was nice to see his team get in the win column.   "What can I say, I think this is a happy bunch of players," he said.  "They're buying into our system now and our style of play and we saw it tonight.  We needed this win. 

"It was a little nerve-wracking being down 2-1 with 20 minutes to go, but we never stopped working. That was the key." 

The Owls had to play catch-up most of the game. The Lancers jumped out to a 1-0 lead at the 38:43 mark of the first half.  Senior Alex Wolfel (Unionville, Conn.) sent a cross over to senior Phil Cepeda (Southbridge, Mass.) who headed the ball past KSC senior goalie Malcolm Cheney (Hopkinton, Mass.).

Going on the offensive, the Owls were finally awarded with the tying goal at the 24:29 mark.  Junior Nick Godzyk (Wilmington, Mass.) sent a short lead pass to junior Kaleb Lique-Naitove (Keene, N.H.) who buried the ball in the top left corner of the net for his first career goal. "I was very frustrated with myself after our last game. I had a similar cut into the middle and I hit it over," said Lique-Naitove. "I went to work the next day and fortunately I got the same opportunity tonight and capitalized on it."

Later in the half, Keene State had a golden opportunity to take the lead. Senior Scott Douglas (East Greenwich, R.I.) sent a cross into the box that sophomore Eddie Mercer (South Hadley, Mass.) tried to convert.  His first shot hit off the post and Lancer sophomore goalie Nick Zucco (Ludlow, Mass.) came back into the play to make a save on his second attempt.     

Keene State also had several chances to get the go-ahead goal in the second half.  Collecting a cross in front, senior Bryce Lawlor (Woodbury, Conn.) had an open net, but his shot sailed just over the crossbar.

The Lancers took back the lead (2-1) on a penalty kick.  After freshman Jonathan Silva (Worcester, Mass.) was taken down in the box, Wolfel scored on a penalty kick at the 27:32 mark.

The Owls continued to miss scoring opportunities.  Douglas hit the post on a free quick at the 15: 27 mark.  However, Keene State's persistence finally paid off less than a minute later.  Senior Brian Swindell (Milford, Mass.) sent the ball toward the goal and it bent right into the left corner for the tying goal. "It was just a routine short corner," said Swindell. "I just crossed it and luckily it weaved through people and found the back of the net inside the far post. It never hurts to be lucky."

Keeping the pressure on, KSC took its first lead of the game at the 8:45 mark when Dylan Bisceglia (New Boston, N.H.) scored on a rebound.  It was the first KSC goal for the sophomore transfer from NHTI in Concord. "I was just there at the right time and put it in the back of the net,' said Bisceglia. "It's a huge win.  I'm just trying to help the team as best as I can." 

Cheney preserved the lead with a couple of nice saves down the stretch.  He stopped a point-blank shot by freshman Tanner Bzdel (Southampton, Mass.) at the eight minute mark and then made a diving save on a back-footed, close-range shot by Cepeda with 2:33 to go. 

"We definitely needed an n icebreaker win that's for sure," said Swindelll. "I think this is going to change our momentum for the rest of the season."

"This was huge going into conference play.  We needed this," said Lique-Naitove.  "It's going to be a great conference game against Plymouth on Saturday. You're going to see a different Keene State team."

Keene State had a wide 35-11 advantage in shots.

Cheney finished the game with four saves.  Zucco stopped nine shots for the Lancers (1-2-3).

Keene State begins Little East Conference play on Saturday (7 p.m.) when it hosts rival Plymouth State University.