KEENE, N.H. – The Keene State College women's soccer team kicked off their 2024 season by hosting Rivier University on Friday night under the lights at Dr. Ron Butcher Field. After jumping out to a 2-0 lead in the first half, the Owls cruised to a 3-1 win over the Raiders to secure the opening night win.
Records
- Keene State: 1-0
- Rivier: 0-1
Postgame Interview (Coach Testo)
Postgame Interview (Emily O'Connell)
How it Happened
Rivier opened game in control, as they had the first opportunity to score, 2:38 into the contest, but
Riley Andriski held her ground in net by saving a shot from Emily Harper to keep the game scoreless early on. The Owls soon took control and mustered off nine shots over the next 30 minutes, with Raiders' goalkeeper, Maya Puma making one save, while the other eight shots went wide of the target for KSC.
Emily O'Connell made the most of her team's tenth shot attempt as she opened the scoring for KSC, 34:02 into the contest, with Keeley Giordano and
Joclynn Tyler picking up assists. Giordano and Tyler both added another point five minutes later, as they each assisted on
Isabella Moran's goal, which put KSC up 2-0 with just over five minutes remaining in the opening half. The Raiders' only other shot attempt outside of the opening few minutes came with 4:20 remaining in the half, but Samantha Frank's shot went left of the net, and the Owls held onto their 2-0 lead going into halftime.
The Owls had the first shot on goal in the second half, at the 58:43 minute mark, as
Riley Devine had an opportunity, but Puma made a great save to prevent the Owls from further increasing their lead. A few minutes later,
Elizabeth Tschudin saw her sixth shot of the contest sail to the left of the net for the Owls, but followed it up with a goal soon after, at the 64:36 mark, as Tyler and
Elise Saab each picked up an assist. As the clock started to tick to under 25 minutes remaining in the contest, the Raiders tried to mount a comeback with a pair of shots, but Elizabeth Jacob's shot rank off the post and then 10 minutes later, Andriski denied Nadia Laxa's shot attempt. With 10:10 remaining, the Raiders were finally able to get on the board as Julia Acampora sent a pass through the Owls' defense to Camryn Blatchford, who netted the goal to pull Rivier to within a pair. Down the stretch of the final 10 minutes, the Raiders continued to try to mount a comeback but were unsuccessful, thanks to a pair of saves from Andriski, a shot from Acampora that rang off the post, and another shot that went wide for the Raiders, to give the Owls the 3-1 win in their 2024 season opener.
Inside the Box
- In the third ever matchup between the two teams, the first since 1998, Keene State improved to 3-0, as they allowed their first ever goal to Rivier in the contest, compared to their 12 goals scored over the three games.
- The Owls kicked off their season with a win for the first time since the 2020 season, which was played in the Spring of 2021.
- Andriski finished the contest with four saves, compared to three from Puma for the Raiders.
- Tyler led all scorers with three points, as she assisted on every goal for the Owls in the win.
Up Next
Keene State returns home for their next contest, as they will host New England College on Sunday, September 1, at 1:00 PM.
Rivier take on another LEC opponent in their next contest, as they will travel to Plymouth State on Monday, September 2, at 12:00 PM.
