Box Score KEENE, N.H. - Rob Hart notched six goals and added an assist as the Keene State College men's lacrosse team cruised to a 17-7 win over Western Connecticut State University in the semifinals of the Little East Conference tournament on Thursday at Owl Athletic Complex.
The Owls (11-4), who have won eight consecutive games, advance to the title game for the sixth consecutive year. KSC won tournament titles in 2005, 2007, 2010, 2011 and 2014, and were runner-up in 2003, 2004, 2006, 2009, 2012, and 2013. The Owls will play rival Eastern Connecticut in a rematch of last season's final.
Western Connecticut sees their season come to an end with a record of 6-12.
For the Owls, Ryan Hart recorded three goals, three assists and is just two scores away from 100 in his career. Tyler Reilly, Tyler McKelvie and Hunter Arnold each finised the game with two goals.
Leading the Western offensive effort was Nick Foley with three goals, followed by Jesse Beatty and Nate Wilson with two goals each.
It didn't take long for the Owls to find the back of the net as James Dowd won the opening faceoff and found Rob Hart for a 1-0 lead eight seconds into the game. The Owls would go on to outscore their opponent 3-1 for the remainder of the opening quarter.
The Owls put the game away in the second quarter as they had an offensive explosion, outscoring the Colonials 9-2. After goals by Bryan Rotatori and Hunter Arnold, Western's unassisted tally by Nate Wilson made the score 6-2. KSC then pulled away on seven-straight for a 13-2 advantage before Beatty's score with 54 seconds on the clock.
A low-scoring third quarter only saw two goals by the Owls' Rob Hart and Reilly.
McKelvie and Rob Hart score the first two goals of the fourth quarter, before Western bagged four straight to end the game and make the final margin 17-7.
Dylan Florian had an outstanding night for the Owls stopping 12 shots. Senior goalkeeper Kevin Seery made 27 saves in goal, while giving up 17 goals in a losing effort.
KSC hosts Eastern Connecticut in the championship game to be played Saturday at 1:00 p.m. at Owl Stadium. Live statistics and a broadcast will be available.
