KEENE, N.H.--The Keene State College men's soccer team picked up its first win of the season with a 3-0 victory over Worcester State University on Tuesday night at Owl Athletic Complex.

Keene State ends a season opening four game losing streak and improves to 1-4.  The Lancers dip to 1-3-1.

Keene State got the only goal the Owls would need in the 16th minute.  An intricate passing move involving Cam Rogers, Promise Kpee, Aidan Dean, and Eddie Mercer saw Mercer get chopped down in the penalty area, and the senior dusted himself off to convert the spot kick for his first goal of the season.

The goal breathed life into the Lancers, who brought to attack to Keene State and could have tied the game through Alec Ostrowski (Ludlow, Mass.), but Keene State freshman goalie Justin Carnevale, who was making his first career start, dived to his left to push away the shot.

The Owls added a second goal in the 54th minute.  Keene State earned a free kick from about 20 yards out on the right side, and Brett Sullivan's effort grazed the fingertips of Worcester State's goalie, Tim Schmidt (Southwick, Mass.), and into the back of the net.

Freshman Jacob LaLiberte was denied a goal in the 83rd minute with a spectacular save from Schmidt; LaLiberte's effort was curling towards the upper right corner, but Schmidt leaped and swatted the ball away with his trailing arm.

Promise Kpee wrapped up the win with three minutes to go, taking a pass from classmate Aidan Dean and beating Schmidt from a very tight angle for his first goal of the season.

Keene State maintains its unbeaten record over the Lancers, having won all nine meetings with Worcester State.

Schmidt finished with five saves for the Lancers; Carnevale made two stops to pick up his first career win and shutout.

The Owls open conference play with a visit to the University of Southern Maine on Saturday, September 19, at noon.  Worcester State heads to Mass. Maritime on Friday, September 18.

Release Courtesy of Keene State Sports Information