KEENE, N.H. – The Keene State College field hockey team twice drew within one goal in the second half, but Sarah Johnston's goal in the 52nd minute that also provided her 100th career collegiate point proved to be the game-winner as Western New England University beat the Owls for the first time ever in Keene, 3-2 in non-conference action Wednesday night at the Owl Athletic Complex.

Postgame Interview (Amy Watson)

KSC (12-3) got off to a slow start, falling behind by two goals less than 21 minutes into the game while struggling to generate offense in the opening 30 minutes, which included being outshot 11-1 in the second quarter.

The Owls controlled most of the second half, and received a jolt of energy when Molly Murray tipped home a pass from Irini Stefanakos off her own corner insert at the 42:05 mark, but they never could find the equalizer.  WNE (8-6) goalkeeper Zoey Wexler denied Jenna Boardman of a tying goal 50 seconds later, and KSC had a pair of corners in the final two minutes of the third quarter that resulted in shots being blocked.  Wexler made another save on Irini Stefanakos two minutes into the fourth, and the Golden Bears' defense bothered Grace Seabury enough to prevent her at a follow up chance on the rebound.  KSC also had an unsuccessful corner in the 50th minute.

Johnston's back-breaking goal came just moments later and was one of WNE's few chances in the second half.  She capitalized by running on to a long lead pass up the left side, carried around two KSC defenders, and moved to her right to open a shooting lane past Owl goalkeeper Katelyn Nicotera.  Both Demetria Gonzalez and Madeline Silvester got a piece of it as it was heading in, but neither enough for a save, as it trickled in to make it 3-1.  Stefanakos answered, adding a goal to her assist to make it 3-2 with just under five minutes to go after she reentered the circle to prevent a clearing attempt and shot from distance that found its way in through traffic.

An equalizer never came as the Golden Bears limited the Owls' chances down the stretch.  Their best opportunity came with three minutes to go when they were awarded a corner, but they could not land a shot on target before it was cleared.

What ultimately decided the game was a slow start by KSC in the first half, as they managed only one shot over the final 25 minutes of the stanza and allowed Western New England 11 penalty corner chances (of their 13).  The Owls warded them off initially, but a simple corner play where Johnston passed into Haley Kaczka on the right side of the circle broke the ice, as WNE's leading scorer fired a laser into the far post.  Nicotera made three saves over the ensuing eight minutes to keep it 1-0, but a rebound goal from Tessa Ebreo made it 2-0 at the 20:42 mark.

The score stayed the same heading into the break after Wexler stopped Kalina Piasecki off a corner in the 27th minute before Nicotera made a pair of stops of her own in the final minute and a half.  WNE had 17 of their 22 shots in the first half, outshooting KSC 17-8 on the stat sheet.

It was Keene State's first home loss of the season in eight outings, and their first-ever loss at home to Western New England.  The Owls had outscored them 30-4 in the other six meetings in Keene.  KSC has now split their last six games after starting a program best 9-0.

The Owls host Western Connecticut State University (6-9, 1-2 LEC) on Saturday, October 19 at 12:00 p.m. in a conference matchup.