Keene State Fall Sports: Game On

KEENE, N.H. 8/31/09 - The preseason workouts are over, the scrimmages have been played, and the rosters have been set.  It's time for Keene State fall athletic teams to begin their seasons. 

Keene State men's soccer and field hockey teams will get the ball rolling by hosting opening-season games on Tuesday night at Owl Athletic Complex.  The KSC men will go up against in-state rival New England College at 6:30 p.m.  The Owl field hockey faces RPI at 7 p.m. 

The Keene State women's soccer and volleyball teams start their seasons on Wednesday.  The Owl soccer team is home game against New England College at 6 p.m. while KSC volleyball squad travels to Southern New Hampshire University for a 7 p.m. match.  The opening gun of the KSC cross country teams will go off on Saturday at 10 a.m. when the Owls host their annual alumni meet.

The Keene State men's soccer team is looking to bounce back from a disappointing 6-10-3 season when they missed qualifying for the Little East tournament for the first time in program history.  Set to start his 39th season on the sidelines, KSC Coach Ron Butcher says his team is in transition.  "We could start at least four or five freshmen, which is a good thing" he said.  "We have to inject some new blood.   

A win by the Owls on Tuesday will give Butcher his 541st career victory, moving him into sixth place on the men's collegiate coaches all-time list for wins.

The Owls have nine freshmen on their opening day roster.

Coming off a fine 18-6, the Keene State field hockey team, picked to finish first in the LEC preseason poll, will be shooting for its sixth straight LEC championships.  Now in her 20th season Coach Amy Watson is anxious for the season to begin.  "We need to start playing, so we can see what we need to work on," said Watson, whose biggest concern is reconstructing her backfield.  "We're still experimenting at several positions."

It will be an emotional night for the Owls, who welcome the return of Erin Dallas to the team.  The senior from Marlow, has made a miraculous recovery from a life-threatening infection to play this season.

Finishing last season with a 16-8 mark, the Keene State women's soccer team hopes this is the season they are able to make a move in the LEC standings and battle long-time rivals Eastern and Western Conn. for the conference crown.  "I feel good about our chances," said KSC Coach Denise Lyons.  "I think we have the right combination of skill and experience to be in the hunt for the title."

The Owls' offensive arsenal includes Katie Bradford.  The senior from Lebanon had 19 goals last season, the most by a KSC player in LEC play.

The defending LEC champion Keene State volleyball team returns to the court after setting a program mark for wins (29) and making its first NCAA tournament appearance.  The Owls have two major vacancies to fill with the loss of LEC All-Stars Brittany O'Bryant and Sarah Peterson, the LEC's defensive player of the year.

Senior setter Jordan Pokryfki says the team will need some time to adjust and should improve as the season progresses.  "I think our overall goal this season is to improve with each match and peak during the tournament," she said.  "Everyone is up for the challenge of defending the conference championship."

Keene State cross country coach Peter Thomas will also has a challenge on his hands as he attempts to return the Owls to the NCAA championships.  Saturday's alumni meet, that will include men's teams from UMass-Lowell and Babson and the women's squad from Springfield College, will be the first of three meets the Owls will host this fall.

Jared Samuel and Brandon Schillemat are expected to lead the men's pack while Rita Marcotte is the top returning runner for the Owl women.

Later in the season, the Owls will host the KSC Invitational on Oct. 3 and the LEC Alliance Championships on Oct. 31.  Keene State is the defending men's and women's conference champions.