2006 WestConn Field Hockey Archives

UMass Dartmouth (15-3, 8-3 LEC) vs. Western Connecticut (1-14, 0-11 LEC)
 Date: Oct 28, 2006  Attendance: 50
 Weather: windy and clear

 Goals by period       1  2  Tot
 -------------------------------
 UMass Dartmouth.....  0  2 -  2
 Western Connecticut.  1  0 -  1

 SCORING SUMMARY:
  1.   9:06 WCSUFH Lindsay Franklin (3) (Cortney Romyns;Kimberly Bauco) - off corner
  2.  48:41 UMDFH06 Constance Jones (2) (Caitlin DiCecca)
  3.  52:58 UMDFH06 Erin Langan (10) (Aidan Blair)

 Shots: UMass Dartmouth 30, Western Connecticut 7
 Saves: UMass Dartmouth 2 (Liz Fitzgerald 2), Western Connecticut 14
 (Ashley Quinn 14)

Framingham, MA- The Framingham State College field hockey team picked up a Little East Conference (LEC) win at home today 6-2 over Western Connecticut. The win keeps the Rams (6-9, 3-7 LEC) alive in the hunt for the eighth and final conference playoff spot.

The Rams wasted no time taking control of the game as they took a 1-0 lead in the fourth minute of the game on a goal by freshman Kali Barrett (N. Attleboro, MA). Fellow freshman Lauren Macuga (Uxbridge, MA) assisted on the goal. The Rams would control play for the remainder of the first half as they out shot the Colonials (1-13, 0-10 LEC) 10-2 in the first stanza. The Rams doubled their lead in the 23rd minute as sophomore Cailyn Morgan (Gardner, MA) scored off a pass from junior Erin Johnson (Uxbridge, MA). Macuga would finish the scoring in the first half for the Rams as she converted a pass from Morgan off a penalty corner with no time remaining to give the Rams a commanding 3-0 halftime lead.

After a Framingham State goal to start the second half, the Colonials came back to score two goals in less than ten minutes to cut the Rams lead in half at 4-2. Cortney Romyns (Lindenhurst, NY) converted a penalty stroke for their first score in the 44th minute and Lindsay Franklin (South Windsor, CT) added a goal of her own in the 52nd minute. Brianna Calello (Saugus, MA) and Barrett would add goals for the Rams in the 54th and 59th minutes to finish the scoring.

The Rams return to action on Saturday as they host the Panthers of Plymouth State in their final regular season game of the season, while Western Connecticut hosts UMass Dartmouth at 4:00 on Saturday.

Western Connecticut (1-13, 0-10 LEC) vs. Framingham State (6-9, 3-7 LEC)
Date: Oct 26, 2006 Attendance: 50

Goals by period            1    2   Tot
Western Connecticut.    0   2    - 2
Framingham State....     3   3    - 6

SCORING SUMMARY:
1. 3:14 FRAMFH Kali Barrett (Lauren Macuga)
2. 22:36 FRAMFH Cailyn Morgan (Erin Johnson)
3. 35:00 FRAMFH Lauren Macuga (Cailyn Morgan)
4. 43:02 FRAMFH Katie Wotherspoon (Kelley Muraszko)
5. 44:28 WCSUFH Cortney Romyns (Penalty stroke)
6. 51:49 WCSUFH Lindsay Franklin (Kimberly Bauco)
7. 53:26 FRAMFH Brianna Calello (Kali Barrett)
8. 58:40 FRAMFH Kali Barrett (unassisted)

Shots: Western Connecticut 12, Framingham State 17
Saves: Western Connecticut 9 (Ashley Quinn 9), Framingham State 6 (Lindsay McKearney 6)

WORCESTER STATE HOLDS OFF WESTCONN, 3-2 DANBURY, CT - The Worcester State College field hockey team held off a second half surge by Western Connecticut State University and defeated the Colonials, 3-2 at Westside Athletic Complex on Wednesday night.      Ginelle Blais (Marlboro, MA) scored what proved to be the game-winning goal with 9:31 remaining in the first half.      The Lancers, 11-4 overall and 7-2 in the conference, raced to a 3-0 advantage before intermission then spent the final 35 minutes holding off the charge by WestConn.      Colleen Flynn (Arlington, MA) gave Worcester State a 1-0 lead with her fourth goal of the season off a feed from Mary Lemelin (Colrain, MA).      Ann Clark (Worcester, MA) netted her team-leading ninth goal of the season in the ninth minute of play.      Freshman Stephanie Szafran (Southbury, CT) drew the Colonials within two goal when she finished off a corner by Lindsay Franklin (South Windsor, CT) 6:32 into the second stanza.      Junior midfielder Cortney Romyns (Newton, NJ) scored her second goal of the season off a chest-high blast from the arch. Her marker was set up by a short pass from Melissa Perry (Danbury, CT).      Ashley Quinn (Brewster, NY) made 11 saves for the Colonials, which falls to 1-11 overall and 0-8 in the LEC.      Erin MacDonald (Dedham, MA) turned away eight shots for Worcester State College. WestConn travels to Framingham State on Friday for a league contest at 3 p.m. Worcester State (11-4, 7-2 LEC) vs. Western Connecticut (1-11, 0-8 LEC) Date: Oct 18, 2006 Attendance: 25 Goals by period                   1      2      Tot Worcester State.....              3      0      - 3 Western Connecticut.           0      2      - 2 SCORING SUMMARY: 1. 2:17 WORFH Colleen Flynn (4) (Mary Lemelin) 2. 9:45 WORFH Ann Clark (9) (unassisted) 3. 24:29 WORFH Ginelle Blais (5) (Kate Fisher) 4. 41:32 WCSUFH Stephanie Szafran (2) (Lindsay Franklin) - off corner 5. 58:23 WCSUFH Cortney Romyns (2) (Melissa Perry) Shots: Worcester State 19, Western Connecticut 13 Saves: Worcester State 8 (Erin MacDonald 8), Western Connecticut 11(Ashley Quinn 11)

KRISTEN DONNELLY SCORES LONE GOAL AS NEW PALTZ EDGES WESTCONN, 1-0 MILTON, NY - Kristen Donnelly netted the game-winning goal as SUNY New Paltz blanked WestConn, 1-0 in field hockey action on Wednesday night.      Donnelly was set up by Kaitlin Ruggiero in the 12th minute of play and Nicole Kovac held off the Colonials the rest of the way.      Ashley Quinn made 11 saves for the Colonials, now 1-10 on the season.  Kovac turned away five shots for the Hawks.      WestConn travels to Fitchburg State this Saturday for a Little East Conference meeting at 6 p.m.

Western Connecticut (1-10, 0-7) vs. New Paltz (3-8, 1-2) Date: Oct 11, 2006 Attendance: 20 Weather: Goals by period 1 2 Tot ------------------------------- Western Connecticut. 0 0 - 0 New Paltz........... 1 0 - 1 SCORING SUMMARY: 1. 12:49 New Paltz Kristen Donnelly (Kaitlin Ruggiero) Shots: Western Connecticut 7, New Paltz 16 Saves: Western Connecticut 11 (Ashley Quinn 11), New Paltz 5 (Nicole Kovac 5)

ALYSSA KRAUS SCORES GAME WINNER AS SOUTHERN MAINE COME FROM BEHIND TO BEAT WESTCONN, 3-2 DANBURY, CT - Sophomore forward Alyssa Kraus (Standish, ME) netted the game-winning goal to lift Uiversity of Southern Maine to a 3-2 come-from-behind win over Western Connecticut State University at Westside Athletic Complex on Saturday afternoon. Kraus scored off a deflection of India Lowe's (Gloucester, MA) in the 51st minute of play to bring the Huskies all the way back from a 2-1 half-time deficit.      WestConn took a 1-0 lead when Rachel Bolmer (Brookfield, CT) scored her team-leading fourth goal of the seasn off a feed from Lindsey Franklin (South Windsor, CT) at the 15:06 mark.      Caitlin Albert (Scarbourough, ME) knotted the game at 1-1 with her sixth goal of the campaign.      Sophomore Justine Odenwaelder (Goshen, CT) knotched her second collegiate goal on a penalty flick with 2:05 left in the first stanza to give the Colonials a 2-1 advantage.      The Huskies, 7-6 overall and 5-2 in the Little East Conference, evened the score at 2-2 on Cristina Corson's (Naples, FL) third goal of the year.      Ashley Quinn (Brewster, NY) made 14 saves for the Colonials, which falls to 1-9 overall and 0-7 in the LEC.      Allie Hill (Cape Elizabeth, ME) turned away eight shots for Southern Maine.      WestConn travels to SUNY New Paltz on Wednesday, October 11 for a non-league game at 7 p.m. Southern Maine (7-6, 5-2 LEC) vs. Western Connecticut (1-9, 0-7 LEC) Date: Oct 07, 2006 Attendance: 25 Goals by period          1      2      Tot Southern Maine......    1      2      - 3 Western Connecticut.   2     0      - 2 SCORING SUMMARY: 1. 15:06 WCSUFH Rachael Bolmer (4) (Lindsay Franklin) 2. 24:22 USMFH Caitlin Albert (6) (Nicole Bombardi) 3. 32:55 WCSUFH Justine Odenwaelder Penalty kick 4. 37:28 USMFH Cristina Corson (3) (unassisted) 5. 51:46 USMFH Alyssa Kraus (2) (India Lowe) Shots: Southern Maine 26, Western Connecticut 16 Saves: Southern Maine 8 (Allie Hill 8), Western Connecticut 14 (Ashley Quinn 14)

JOSLIN WELLS SCORES GAME WINNER WITH 28 SECONDS LEFT IN OVERTIME TO LIFT EASTERN CONNECTICUT DANBURY, CT - Sophomore forward Joslin Wells (Marstons Mills, MA) blasted the game-winning goal with 28 seconds remaining in the second overtime to lift Eastern Connecticut State University to a 2-1 victory over Western Connecticut State University at Westside Athletic Complex on Tuesday night.      Wells was left wide open from the left arch when Stepahanie Gongelli (Pequannock, NJ) initiated the penalty corner from the same side.      The Warriors, 3-7 overall and 3-3 in the Little East Conference, took a 1-0 lead when Lindsey Raymond (Niantic, CT) netted her fourth goal of the season off a feed fro, Wells in the 24th minute.      WestConn drew even when sophomore Justine Odenwaelder (Goshen, CT) scored her first goal of the season. She was set up from a penalty cormer by Cortny Romyns (Newton. NJ).      Romyns had a chance to win it in the second overtime but her point-blank shot was turned away by a sprawling kick save by Warrior goalie Mindy Maher (Sherman, CT).      Maher finished with 15 saves on the night.      Ashley Quinn (Brewster, NY) made 11 saves for the Colonials, which falls to 1-8 overall and 0-6 in the LEC.      WestConn plays hosts to University of Southern Maine on Saturday, Oct. 7 at 11 a.m. Eastern Connecticut (3-7, 3-3 LEC) vs. Western Connecticut (1-8, 0-6 LEC) Date: Oct 03, 2006 Attendance: 50 Weather: nice Goals by period             1      2      OT      O2      Tot Eastern Connecticut.      1      0      0         1         - 2 Western Connecticut.     1      0      0         0         - 1 SCORING SUMMARY: 1. 24:17 ECSUFH Lindsay Raymond (4) (Joslin Wells) - off deflection 2. 28:55 WCSUFH Justine Odenwaelder (1) (Cortney Romyns) - off penalty corner 3. 99:32 ECSUFH Joslin Wells (2) (Stephanie Mongelli) - off penalty corner Shots: Eastern Connecticut 24, Western Connecticut 26 Saves: Eastern Connecticut 15 (Mindy Maher 15), Western Connecticut 11 (Ashley Quinn 11)

PLYMOUTH STATE DOUBLES UP WESTCONN, 4-2 PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Plymouth State University scored three goals in an eight-minute span Saturday afternoon and went on to defeat Western Connecticut State University, 4-2, in a Little East Conference field hockey game at Arold Field. The Panthers took a 3-0 lead in the first half, only to see the upset-minded Colonials answer with two goals to make it a 3-2 game. It stayed that way until the final minute of the game when the Panthers tallied an insurance goal. PSU carried the play much of the afternoon, finishing with a 26-8 advantage in shots. Plymouth State stops a three-game losing skid and improves to 4-4 overall and 2-3 in LEC play, while WestConn drops to 1-7 overall and 0-5 in the conference. Senior Amanda Spadafora ( Saratoga Springs , N.Y. ), sophomore Amanda Sherburne (Rumney, N.H./Plymouth Reg.) and freshman Morgan Lemmon ( Gilford , N.H. ) each tallied a goal and an assist for the Panthers. They were the first points of the season for Sherburne, while Spadafora now leads the team with six goals and two assists and Lemmon has six goals and one assist. Freshman Sarah Smith ( Lexington , Mass. ) also scored her first career goal, assisted by classmate Katie Powers ( Chelmsford , Mass. ) WestConn got goals from juniors Kimberly Bauco ( Danbury , Conn. ) and Cortney Romyns ( Newton , N.J. ) Senior goalie Ashley Quinn ( Brewster , N.Y. ) had a busy day for the Colonials and finished with 22 saves. PSU plays its next four games on the road, beginning Tuesday at Worcester State (7:00 p.m.). WCSU returns home to host Eastern Connecticut on Tuesday (6:00 p.m.)

FINAL BOX SCORE Western Connecticut vs Plymouth State (Sep 30, 2006 at Plymouth, N.H.) Western Connecticut (1-7, LEC 0-5) vs. Plymouth State (4-4, LEC 2-3) Goals by period 1 2 Tot ------------------------------- Western Connecticut. 2 0 - 2 Plymouth State...... 3 1 - 4 SCORING SUMMARY: 1. 19:52 PSUFH Sarah Smith (Katie Powers) 2. 16:29 PSUFH Morgan Lemmon (Amanda Sherburne) 3. 12:02 PSUFH Amanda Sherburne (Amanda Spadafora) 4. 10:27 WCSUFH Kimberly Bauco (unassisted) 5. 9:05 WCSUFH Cortney Romyns (unassisted) 6. 0:29 PSUFH Amanda Spadafora (Morgan Lemmon) Shots: Western Connecticut 8, Plymouth State 26 Saves: Western Connecticut 22 (Ashley Quinn 22), Plymouth State 6 (Katie Randall 2; Leah Curtin 4)

Westfield State Blanks Western Connecticut, 5-0 WESTFIELD, MA – Five players scored for Westfield State in a 5-0 Little East Conference field hockey victory over Western Connecticut State University on Wednesday evening, Sept. 27. The Owls improved to 6-2 overall and 3-1 in the conference. Western Conn. is 1-6 and 0-4. Junior forward Megan Wolski scored the winning goal for the second straight game. Senior forward Shanna Litterst and sophomore forward Kara Guittarr both had a goal and two assists. Also scoring were sophomore Heather Beninati and freshman Carly Paling.

1 2 Final Western Conn. (1-6) 0 0 0 Westfield (6-2) 3 2 5 Scoring: Westfield; Megan Wolski (Kara Guittarr), 14:17 Westfield: Heather Beninati (Shanna Litterst), 28:52 Westfield: Shanna Litterst (Kara Guittarr), 29:22 Westfield: Kara Guittar (Shanna Litterst), 42:48 Westfield: Carly Paling (Vicky Winson), 64:05 Goalie Saves: Westfield: Cat Hanks 4 saves Western Conn.: Ashley Quinn 8 saves Shots: Westfield: 14; Western Conn. 4

Lester Nets Hat-Trick in NEC 6-1 Win Over WCSU Henniker, NH – The New England College field hockey team (9-0, 2-0 CCC) had a perfect end to the weekend as they dominated the Western Connecticut State University Colonials (1-5, 0-3 LEC) 6-1 on Sunday afternoon. Amanda Lester (Jr., F, Columbia, CT) had her second hat-trick of the weekend as she put NEC on top right away at the 8:05 mark off an assist from Lori Zaniboni (Sr., F, Wenham, MA), then again at the 8:10 mark with the help of Brittney Vogrin (Jr., F, Toronto, Ontario). The goals kept coming for the Pilgrims, as Zaniboni netted one of her own at 9:06, and then Vogrin scored at 16:06. Lester would put the Pilgrims up 5-0 at the end of the first half, netting her third goal at 25:43. The Colonials could not quiet NEC’s run into the second stanza as Vogrin banged a sizzling shot into the back of the WCSU net at 48:15. WCSU’s Stephanie Szafran (Fr., F, Southbury, CT) finally got the Colonials on the board with her score at 57:52 with an assist from Justine Odenwaelder (So., D, Goshen, CT) . The final score was NEC 6, WCSU 1). NEC goalie Jamie Johnson (Fr., GK, Lynnfield, MA) continued a great freshman campaign in net with four saves, while WCSU goalie Ashley Quinn (Sr., GK, Brewster, NY) had a busy game with 20 stops.                                              1      2     Final Western Connecticut State    0       1     1 New England College          5       1     6

Soccer Game Summary (Final) 2006 WestConn Field Hockey Statistics Western Connecticut vs Keene State College (Sep 23, 2006 at KSC) Western Connecticut (1-4) vs. Keene State College (5-3) Date: Sep 23, 2006 Attendance: 100 Weather: Raining Goals by period 1 2 Tot ------------------------------- Western Connecticut. 0 0 - 0 Keene State College. 5 3 - 8 SCORING SUMMARY: 1. 1:04 KSCFH06 Karen Robinson (unassisted) 2. 8:52 KSCFH06 Amanda Rosenbeck (Karen Robinson) 3. 30:03 KSCFH06 Kat Trimmer (Steph Georgevits) 4. 30:49 KSCFH06 Kat Trimmer (Amanda Rosenbeck) 5. 32:42 KSCFH06 Steph Georgevits (unassisted) 6. 38:09 KSCFH06 Amanda Rosenbeck (unassisted) 7. 45:20 KSCFH06 Megan Moran (unassisted) 8. 50:31 KSCFH06 Nichole Garneau (Steph Georgevits) Shots: Western Connecticut 4, Keene State College 34 Saves: Western Connecticut 10 (Ashley Quinn 10), Keene State College 3 (Sara Joyce 3)

Field Hockey: Owls Roll Past WCSU 8-0 KEENE, N.H. 9/23/06 - The Keene State College field hockey team rolled to an 8-0 Little East Conference shutout victory over Western Conn. State University at Owl Athletic Complex on Saturday. The Owls scored five first half goals and added three more goals in the second half. Amanda Rosenbeck (Wilder, Vt.), Steph Georgevits (Concord, N.H.), and Kat Trimmer (Worcester, Mass.) netted two goals each to lead KSC's attack. Rosenbeck and Georgevits top the Owls in scoring with five goals each. Karen Robinson (Barre, Mass.) and Megan Moran (Derry, N.H.) also scored for KSC. Keene State improves to 5-3 (3-0 LEC). Western Conn. falls to 1-4 (0-3 LEC). Goalies Sara Joyce (Hampstead, N.H.) (three saves), Vikki Stoessel (Derry, N.H.), and Jennifer McDougall (Avon, Conn.) (one save) combined for the shutout. Ashley Quinn (Brewster, N.Y.) had 10 saves for the Colonials.

HEATHER ELDREDGE LIFTS BRIDGEWATER STATE OVER WESTCONN IN FIELD HOCKEY ACTION SATURDAY DANBURY, CT - Senior forward Heather Eldredge (Barnstable, MA) scored the lone goal in Bridgewater State College's 1-0 victory over Western Connecticut State University Saturday night at the Westside Athletic Complex.      Eldredge's shot came from just inside the arch on the right side and eluded WestConn goalie Ashley Quinn (Brewster, NY).  She was set up by a lead pass from Ashley Panzini (Sauguas, MA).      The Bears improve to 2-2 on the season and are now 2-0 in the Little East Conference.      Nicole Downs (Hanover, MA) made four saves for Bridgewater State.      Quinn made 10 saves for the Colonials, now 1-3 overall and 0-2 in the league.

Bridgewater State (2-2, 2-0 LEC) vs. Western Connecticut (1-3, 0-2 LEC) Date: Sep 16, 2006 Attendance: 40 Weather: dark and warm Goals by period 1 2 Tot ------------------------------- Bridgewater State... 1 0 - 1 Western Connecticut. 0 0 - 0 SCORING SUMMARY: 1. 28:42 BSCFH Heather Eldredge (2) (Ashley Panzini) - long shot from right Shots: Bridgewater State 15, Western Connecticut 9 Saves: Bridgewater State 4 (Nicole Downs 4), Western Connecticut 10 (Ashley Quinn 10)

Saturday - September 9 Salem State 1, WestConn 0  FINAL Western Connecticut (1-2, 0-1 LEC) vs. Salem State (1-0, 1-0 LEC) Date: Sep 09, 2006 Attendance: 100 Weather: Goals by period 1 2 Tot ------------------------------- Western Connecticut. 0 0 - 0 Salem State......... 1 0 - 1 SCORING SUMMARY: 1. 29:29 SSCFH Kristen Bartlett (Kara Beauregard) Shots: Western Connecticut 3, Salem State 13 Saves: Western Connecticut 8 (Ashley Quinn 8), Salem State 2 (Christina Ferreira 2)

Stevens Tech. (3-0) vs. Western Connecticut (1-1) Goals by period 1 2 Tot ------------------------------- Stevens Tech........ 2 2 - 4 Western Connecticut. 0 0 - 0 SCORING SUMMARY: 1. 18:44 SIT-FH Courtney Geddis (1) (unassisted) 2. 23:44 SIT-FH Courtney Geddis (2) (Kara Borzillo) 3. 36:27 SIT-FH Hillary Paul (2) (unassisted) 4. 42:11 SIT-FH Beth Rychcik (1) (Kara Borzillo) Shots: Stevens Tech. 19, Western Connecticut 7 Saves: Stevens Tech. 3 (Stephanie Smith 3), Western Connecticut 11 (Ashley Quinn 11)

Stevens Tech Blanks WestConn, 4-0 Behind Courtney Geddis' Two Goals DANBURY, CT— Freshman forward Courtney Geddis (Jackson, NJ) scored two goals as Stevens Institute of Technology shut out Western Connecticut State University, 4-0 in field hockey action at The Westside Athletic Complex Wednesday afternoon.      Geddis put the Ducks, now 3-0, on the scoreboard in the 18th minute. It was her first collegiate goal. Exactly five minutes later, she tallied her second marker to put the visitors ahead, 2-0 before intermission. Her second goal was set up by Kara Borzillo (Mount Laurel, NJ).      In the second half, Hillary Paul (Concord, NH) and Beth Rychcik (Pleasant Valley, NY) scored insurance goals for Stevens Tech.      Stephanie Smith (Hockessin, DE) made four saves for the Ducks before yielding to Shannon McGrath (Oceanport, NJ) for the final 14 minutes. McGrath did not have to make a stop.      Ashley Quinn (Brewster, NY) made 11 saves for the Colonials, which even their record at 1-1.      WestConn travels to Salem State College this Saturday, Sept. 9 for its Little East Conference opener.

WestConn Opens Season With 6-0 Shutout Over Wheelock DANBURY, CT— Senior foward Rachael Bolmer (Brookfield, CT) scored three goals as the Western Connecticut State University field hockey team shut out Wheelock College, 6-0 in the season opener at The Westside Athletic Complex Saturday afternoon.      Bolmer scored two goals before intermission as the Colonials (1-0) raced to a 3-0 advantage at the break.      Freshman Lindsay Franklin (South Windsor, CT) got WestConn on the scoreboard with her first collegiate goal seven minutes into the contest.  She was set up by Kimberly Bauco (Danbury, CT).  Bauco finished with a goal and an assist on the afternoon.      Senior Christiane Montouri (New Fairfield, CT) scored the Colonials 27 minutes into the first half.      Fairfield University transfer Justine Odenwaelder (Goshen, CT) had four assists for WestConn.      Senior goalie Ashley Quinn (Brewster, NY) did not have to make a save as the Colonials dominated on offense, out shooting the Wildcats, 27-2.      Kelsey McAuliffe (Groveland, MA) made fives saves for Wheelock, which drop to 0-1 on the young season.      WestConn hosts Stevens Tech at The WAC on Wednesday, September 6 at 4 p.m.

Keene State tops LEC Field Hockey Poll PROVIDENCE, R.I.—The Little East Conference recently announced two-time defending Little East Conference Tournament Champion Keene State College earned the top spot in the annual field hockey preseason poll, voted on by all 12 conference head coaches. The Owls received the highest point total (140) in the past three seasons, riding the momentum of eight first-place and four second-place ballots. Plymouth State University tallied 132 points, including three first-place selections, while Westfield State College registered 116 points and a first-place nod to round out the top three spots.      Under the direction of Head Coach Amy Watson, Keene State has been the perennial powerhouse in the Little East for the past three seasons, sporting an impressive 28-3 mark in the conference circuit and two consecutive conference tournament championships. The Owls will look to continue their reign atop the Little East standings as 18 letter-winners, including seven starters, are back on campus from last season’s squad that posted an overall record of 14-9 and 9-2 in the League. Keene State earned its third straight berth into the NCAA Tournament, but fell in the opening round. Little East All-Conference first-team selection goalkeeper Sara Joyce will anchor the Owls’ defense. The senior led the conference in shutouts (7), while ranking second in goals against average (1.31). Keene State will be in action at 7 p.m. on Sept. 1 as the Owls’ host New England College.      The University of Southern Maine (86), Fitchburg State College (84), the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth (80), Worcester State College (79), and Framingham State College (75) are separated by just 11 points in the second tier of the poll. One of these teams will be on the outside looking in because only the top seven schools qualify for the conference tournament.      Rounding out the poll are Bridgewater State College (53), Eastern Connecticut State University (47), Salem State College (29), and Western Connecticut State University (17).