Game of the Weekend: Keene State men's soccer vs. Southern Maine

            The only home game for Keene State teams’ this weekend, Saturday’s men’s soccer game against Southern Maine will be Senior Day at Owl Athletic Complex and a chance for the Owls to clinch the outright Little East regular season championship for the second year in a row. 

            The only undefeated team in the LEC, Keene State (11-4-2, 5-0-1 LEC) would still claim the conference regular season title with a loss, however, the Owls want to wrap up the regular season with a victory over the Huskies.  “There’s been a lot of talk whether we’re going to come out guns blazing or not, because we’ve already clinched,” said sophomore back Blake Nyman.  “But we’re going to have all the starters in and try to win.”

            Although the Owls lead the LEC series 11-2-1, the Huskies have been a thorn in the side of the Owls of late, winning two out of the last four meetings.  In 2007, KSC lost a regular season games to USM (1-0) and came back to defeat the Huskies (2-1) in the LEC tournament.  KSC suffered a 5-0 loss to USM in 2008 and but rebounded with a 2-1 victory last season.

            The Owls have always put a high emphasis on their LEC games, and this year is no exception. “We know our only route to the NCAA tournament is by winning the league, so we have to make sure we take care of business against LEC teams, said junior back Kevin Gomes.

            “We always get up for LEC games,” said KSC Coach Ron Butcher.  “I never had to give the players any words of wisdom or advice. They just seem to come ready to play.  The players have always steeped up for conference games and that’s why we’ve done so well.

            Since joining the LEC in 1997, Keene State LEC record stands at 73-16-8.   The Owls will be in the hunt for their sixth LEC crown and their first since 2006.

            As far as the Owls are concerned, there’s no place like home.  “Coach Rick Scott always tells the players at the start of the season that the most important thing is home field advantage,” said Butcher.  “We have a distinct advantage at home and the crowd comes out to support us in the tournament.  It’s a big deal.”

            Prior to Saturday’s game, Keene State will honor its six seniors:  Tom Conran, Cam Blair, Matt Johnson, Luke Sisco, Rob Musto, and Ryan Murphy.