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Owls shutout Smith College 5-0
KEENE , N.H. 9/9/09 - Sophomore midfielder Tara Nathan (Bethel, Conn.) scored two goals to lead Keene State to a 5-0 shutout victory over Smith College in a non-conference women's soccer game played Wednesday at Owl Athletic Complex.
Seniors Molly Brunelle (Walpole, N.H.), Kendra Spencer (Petoskey, Mich.) and Jaclyn Grant (Newington, Conn.) registered their first goals of the season for the Owls (3-1). KSC took command from the start. "I feel this is the first game we actually played really well as a team," said Brunelle. "A lot of people scored and everyone had a chance to play."
Keene State had the best chance to get on the board in the early going. Brunelle broke in alone, but Smith sophomore goalie Lindsey Gregor (Bradenton, Fla.) came out and smothered her shot.
Brunelle wouldn't miss on her second attempt three minutes later. The senior midfielder picked up a loose ball and fired it over Gregor's head to give KSC an early 1-0 lead at the 4:38 mark.
Nathan put KSC up 2-0 at 15:05 when she converted a crossing ball from Brunelle.
Sophomore Bridget Hennessey (Essex Junction, Vt.) had a chance to add to Keene State's lead later in the half, but her strong bid was denied by a diving Gregor.
Nathan made it a 3-0 with her second goal of the game and fourth of the season at the 48:23 mark of the second half.
Spencer buried a shot into the top far corner of the net to make it 4-0 and Grant concluded the scoring. Junior Nora Mahoney (Belchertown, Mass.) picked up her second assist of the game on the play.
Sophomore Megan Dempsey (East Weymouth, Mass.) didn't record a save in her second shutout of the season. Gregor stopped 11 shots for the Pioneers (1-1).
The Owls dominated play outshooting Smith 27-0
Both teams return to action on Saturday. Keene State hosts Framingham State and Smith travels to UMass-Dartmouth.
