WILLIMANTIC, Conn.--Don't count out the Keene State College women's soccer team.  The two-time defending tournament champions are going back to the Little East Conference title game for the third year in a row after a 2-1 upset victory over top seed Eastern Connecticut State on Thursday afternoon at Nevers Field.

Ellen Granata scored with 18 minutes remaining as the Owls (11-6-4) became only the second No. 5 seed to reach the title game in the history of the Little East Conference.  

Keene State, which defeated Eastern Connecticut State in the 2013 title game at home, and upset UMass Boston on penalties in 2014, will travel to No. 2 seed Western Connecticut or No. 3 seed UMass Boston on Saturday at a time to be announced.  The Colonials and Beacons were slated to play at 7 p.m. on Thursday in the other semifinal.

KSC had fallen behind three minutes into the game when a gap in the Owls' defense left Nikki Basilicato wide open for her sixth goal of the year.

Keene State had a goal disallowed in the first half when Jennifer Wilson's free kick from inside the midfield line bounced all the way through and into the Eastern Connecticut State goal, but was ruled out for having been an indirect kick and not getting the requisite touch from another KSC player.

The Owls attacked the goal with renewed urgency in the second half, and were rewarded when Brittany Tolla levelled up the score with her second goal of the game.  Tolla, who had not scored since September 19, took a pass from Morgan Kathan and beat ECSU goalie Rachel Skelton.

That set the stage for Granata, who received the ball from classmate Shannon Summers and looped it over Skelton's head to give KSC the lead.  

The Owls had lost the regular season matchup 1-0 in Keene.  Eastern Connecticut likely sees its season come to an end at 13-4-1.