Strong Second Half Leads Keene State Past Men’s Soccer

Framingham, Mass. – Sophomore forward Scott Douglas (East Greenwich, RI) notched a hat trick for the Keene State College men's soccer team as the Owls defeated the Framingham State University Rams 4-1 this afternoon in non-conference action at Maple Street Field.      

The Rams, who completed a six game home stand this afternoon, are now 5-6-3 on the year, while the Owls improve to 8-6-1.

Framingham State controlled the pace of play in the opening ten minutes of the game and the Rams were able to jump out to an early 1-0 lead.  In the 14^th minute freshman Bryan DaSilva (Milford, Mass.) took a direct kick on the right side just off the end line and lofted it into the box.  Classmate Cory Cardeiro (Westport, Mass.) timed his run perfectly and came streaking in to  head the pass into the back of the net for his fourth goal of the season.

The game would remain 1-0 until late in the half when momentum shifted and the Owls offense came alive. In the 31^st minute freshman Nate Banas (Monson, Mass.) took a restart near midfield and fed a pass ahead to Douglas who tied the score with his first marker of the game.

Douglas would put the Owls ahead for good just 20 seconds into the second half as the Owls Bryce Lawlor (Naugatuck, CT) sent the ball thru to Douglas and Douglas beat the Rams keeper with a well-placed shot.

Keene would add two more late in the second to reach the final margin of 4-1. Douglas completed the hat trick in the 63^rd when he knocked home a rebound off his own shot at the top of the box and freshman Michael Jacques (Tolland, Conn.) scored off a Kyle Leavitt (Plymouth, Mass.) assist in the 78^th minute.

The Rams outshot the Owls 34-19 in the game and held a 5-3 edge in corner kicks. Junior Sam Yoder (Southbridge, Mass.) picked up the loss in net for the Rams allowing three goals while making six saves.  Sophomore Malcom Cheney (Hopkinton, Mass.) picked up the win in net for the Owls making nine saves after relieving starting goaltender Michael Ketterman (Monson, Mass.) who left with an injury in the first half after making three saves and surrendering the Rams lone goal.

The Rams return to action MASCAC on Saturday as they travel to Fitchburg State at 10 a.m., while the Owls resume LEC action on Saturday when they host UMass Dartmouth at 1 p.m.