KEENE, N.H. 9/2813 – The Keene State College women's soccer team extended its winning streak to four games with a 3-1 Little East Conference victory over Eastern Conn. State University at Owl Athletic Complex on Saturday.

Seniors Bev Cole (Madbury, Conn.) had a goal and two assists for the Owls, who improve to 6-2-1 (2-0 LEC). Eastern Conn., which has dropped three straight, falls to 4-4 (0-2 LEC).

Keene State jumped out to a 1-0 lead at the 27:48 mark of the first half.  Cole got a foot on a bouncing cross by classmate Jessica Berthiaume (Worcester, Mass.) for her first goal of the season. "I knew it was one of our most important games of the season so I envisioned scoring," said Cole. "All last night I dreamed about the game." 

Eastern Conn tied the game up six minutes later when freshman Hailey Lehning (Woodbury, Conn.) deflected a pass from senior Kaitlyn Kennedy (Burlington, Conn.) just under the crossbar.

Cole and Berthiaume hooked up again to give KSC a 2-1 lead with 13:24 to go in the half.  Receiving a cross, Cole got a Warrior defender to commit then laid the ball over to Berthiaume for her team-leading sixth goal of the season.

Cole set up Keene State's third goal that made it 3-1 at the 31:42 mark of the second half.  The senior midfielder served the ball in to the box where classmate Brittany Boscarino (Ellington, Conn.) knocked it into the net for her third goal of the season. "Brit and I talked before the game.  I knew she would be there," said Cole.    

Senior Hayley Kenyon (Exeter, R.I) had a chance to extend the Owls lead later in the half, but Warrior junior goalie Rachel Skelton (East Lyme, Conn.) stopped her close-range shot.

Looking to cut into the Owls lead with 17:38 to go, Lehning got around the corner of the Owls' defense, but KSC junior goalie Torrie Crenson (North Salem, N.Y.) was able to get a hand on her shot, tipping it into the air before grabbing the ball.

Minutes, later, Crenson came up big once again, going airborne to knock a shot by junior Taylor Shannon (Waterford, Conn.) from 22-yards out just over the crossbar. "I just had my adrenaline going and got up for it," said Crenson.

"It's a huge win for us," said Cole. "We just wanted to make a statement that we're here to play and win it all this season."

Keene State and Eastern Conn. each finished the game with 11 shots. The Warriors had a wide 7-1 advantage in corner kicks.

Crenson finished the game with five saves.  Skelton stopped four shots for ECSU.

Both teams have non-conference games on Tuesday.  Keene State host Wheaton College (6:30 p.m.) and Eastern Conn. returns home to face Conn. College (7 p.m.).