DANBURY, Conn. – Despite outshooting Western Connecticut State University and having more scoring opportunities, the Keene State College men's soccer team was unable to keep up with the Wolves as KSC was defeated in their final road game of the 2025 regular season, 3-2.

Records

• Keene State: 8-6-2 (2-4-1 LEC)
• Western Connecticut: 12-5-3 (8-0 LEC)

How it Happened


The Owls were on the attack early as they recorded the first five shots of the game, but WestConn's starting goalie, Makai Smith, saves the three shots that were on target over the opening 18 minutes. In the 20th minute the Wolves struck first as Maximus Vigo opened the scoring with a goal to put the Wolves up by one. The remainder of the opening half neither team even recorded a shot on goal and the Wolves took their 1-0 lead into the half.
 
Michael Arcuri entered as the starting goalie for the Wolves in the second half and KSC capitalized on it right away as at the 54:51 mark, Jack Corby sent a corner kick to the far end of the Wolves box where Damir Hamzic was to put the ball into the back of the net to tie the game up at one apiece. Both teams traded possessions back-and-forth over the next 17 minutes without another shot on frame until with 18:14 remaining, Matthew Rocha put WestConn back up by a goal. Shortly after for the Wolves, they increased their lead again as Nickolas Santana put the Wolves up by a pair with his 18th goal of the season with 13:54 remaining thanks to the Owls failing to clear the ball on defense. The Wolves' two-goal lead only lasted for 52 seconds as KSC was able to pull back within a goal shortly after due to Elias Stowell-Aleman sending a free kick into the Wolves box and Arcuri misplaying the ball to pull KSC within a score. The Owls' kept trying the rest of the contest to try to find that equalizing goal, but with the clock started to run down into the final few minutes before KSC was able to record another shot on goal. In the final 2:15, KSC had a header in the box that got past Arcuri, but it was ruled that a WestConn defender was able to clear it off the line as the entire Owls bench, on the near side of the field with the best view, was in disbelief due to it seeming like the ball crossed the line. Despite the play continuing, KSC had another opportunity a few second later but Arcuri made one final save to hold on to the victory for the Wolves.
 
Inside the Box

• KSC falls to 19-13-3 in the all-time series between the two teams, having gone 0-7-1 in the eight most recent matchups while being outscored 8-22.
• The Owls had the edge on shots 14-8, including 6-3 in shots on goal, and 7-1 on corner kicks.
• Stowell-Aleman tallies his first goal of his senior season, while Hamzic scored his second of the year in the game.
• KSC moves to seven points in the LEC standings and can either place in sixth place or miss the playoffs and finish seventh. The Owls control their destiny if they make the playoffs with a win in their next contest, they will make it, but if they lose or tie, Rhode Island College has the chance to sneak in if they win against Eastern Connecticut State University.

Up Next


Keene State returns home for their regular season finale as the Owls host Vermont State Castleton University on Wednesday, October 29, at 6:00 PM.
Western Connecticut finishes off their regular season with an undefeated 8-0 record after clinching the regular season LEC title prior to hosting the Owls. WestConn receives a first-round bye, along with home field advantage, and will host the winner of the No. 4 and No. 5 LEC quarterfinal matchup in the LEC semifinals.