KEENE, N.H.  9/21/13 – Freshman forward Kayla Renaud (Somers, Conn.) scored two goals and Keene State used a stifling defense to post a dominating 3-0 shutout win over Bridgewater State University in a Little East Conference field hockey game played at Owl Athletic Complex on Saturday.

The Owls (7-0, 2-0 LEC) are off to their best start since joining the Little East in 1997.  It's also the best start by the program since the 1983 Owls won its first 14 games. Bridgewater State (3-2, 1-1 LEC) saw its two game winning streak come to an end.

Keene State took a 1-0 lead at the 22:31 mark of the first half when Renaud redirected a pass from senior Aimee Donaruma (Hampden, Mass.) into an open net.  The Owls increased their lead six minutes later on a corner play with junior Marisa Lemoine (Berlin, N.H.) scoring on a rebound.

Renaud scored her second goal of the game and sixth of the season on a blast off a corner play.

But the story of the game was the Owls' defense that didn't allow a shot on goal. "They came out hard and we were ready for them," said Donaruma.  "Our forwards put a lot of pressure on their defense which was the difference-maker for us. They did awesome and came through for us today."

"I think the big difference today was out forwards. They did an amazing job of playing defense, said senior Leddy Gallagher.  "They got to the ball every time Bridgewater had a free hit. That made a huge difference in the game."

Conversely, Keene State peppered the Bears' net with 27 shots, 20 on goal.  Sophomore Chloe Audesse (Goffstown, N.H.) was the benefactor of the Owls' strong defensive play.  She didn't have to register a save in notching her second shutout of the season.  Senior Kacie Sturgeon (Dartmouth, Mass.) had a busy day between the pipes for BSU, finishing with 17 saves.

Keene State hits the road for a non-conference game at Trinity on Tuesday (6 p.m.).  Bridgewater State returns home to play WPI on Monday (7 p.m.).