KEENE, N.H. -- Led by Carly Benning's (Brewster, MA) Little East Conference-leading 11th goal of the season, the Keene State College field hockey team squeaked by the Bridgewater State College Bears, 1-0, at Owl Athletic Complex on Saturday afternoon, ending KSC's two-game losing streak.
The Owls, who out-shot the Bears (4-3, 2-1 LEC) 15-2 and held a 9-1 advantage in corners, were finally able to capitalize with 39 seconds left in the half. Benning took a pass from Elizabeth Coffin (Sugar Hill, NH) on a breakaway to beat Bridgewater goalie Katie Weber (Arlington, MA) for the what proved to be the game-winner.
Weber set aside 10 shots in the first stanza to keep the Bears in the game, while Owls senior net minder Vikki Stoessel (Derry, NH) faced no shots in the first half.
The Bears pressured Keene State for the equalizer in the second half. At the 15 minute mark, BSC midfielder Shelby Farland (Fiskdale, MA) ripped a shot at Stoessel, who made a nice kick save to turn away the opportunity.
Keene State tried to add to its lead later in the half. Looking for her second goal of the game, Benning blasted a shot inside the circle, only to be turned away by Weber with a save from her non-stick hand. A few moments later, Weber dove to take the ball away from the Owls again to keep it a one goal game.
Bridgewater frantically tried to get on the board with 17 seconds remaining in regulation on a rocket from Bears forward Carissa Vizakis (Bellingham, MA). Stoessel blocked the shot with traffic in front of her and the Owls cleared the ball out of the zone to ensure the win.
Stoessel ended the game with two saves for her fifth shutout of the season, while Weber stopped 12 attempts in the losing effort.
The Owls return to action Wednesday, September 30th as they will travel to Westfield State for a 7 p.m. start. Bridgewater hits the field again September 30th as they will head to Salem State for a 6 p.m. game.