BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – Sophomore forward Morgan Kathan (Ludlow, Vt.) tallied the game-winning goal in the latter stages of the second half to lift the Keene State College women's soccer team to a 2-1 non-conference victory over host Bridgewater State University on Wednesday night at Swenson Field.

The visiting Owls improve to 9-5-2 on the season with the win, while the Bears slip to 9-5 overall.

Sophomore forward Taylor Farland (Fiskdale, Mass.) opened the scoring in the 21st minute as she converted off a turnover deep in the BSU defensive zone. Farland forced the miscue inside the 18, dribbled to the left side and beat the BSU keeper with a shot inside the far post.

The two teams would head to the break with the Owls holding the 1-0 lead.

BSU freshman midfielder Caitlin Rowley (Lakeville, Mass.) knotted the score at 1-1 with her fourth goal of the season as she scored off a corner kick in the 65th minute. After senior defender Olivia Planty (Litchfield, N.H.) sent the corner into the box, a Keene State defender mishandled an attempted clearance and Rowley capitalized on the mistake with a blast inside the far post.

Kathan potted the game-winner for the Owls in the 77th minute as she scored off the rebound of classmate Julia Pearson's (Harwinton, Conn.) shot. BSU sophomore keeper Lauren DeSousa (Taunton, Mass.) made the initial diving stop, but Kathan was right there to knock home the rebound.

DeSousa played very well between the pipes for the Bears as she turned aside ten shots including a number of spectacular stops.

Keene State held a decided 24-12 shot advantage as well as a slight 5-4 edge in corner kicks. Twelve of the Owls' 24 shots were on frame, while the Bears recorded four shots on goal.

Junior Danielle Warhall (Spofford, N.H.) finished with three saves in goal for the Owls.

Both teams are back in action on Saturday afternoon with key conference game. The Bears entertain MASCAC rival Westfield State University at noon, while the Owls host Little East Conference foe UMass Boston at one.