KEENE, N.H. -Â In what was a defensive battle through the first 74 minutes of action, the home team netted two quick goals and junior
Joey Paiva cut the deficit in half late, but it was not enough as Keene State held off the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth men's soccer team, 2-1, Saturday afternoon on the road.
The Corsairs fall to 0-6-5 and 0-3-1 in the Little East Conference (LEC), while the Owls improve to 4-7-1 and 2-2-0 in the conference. UMass Dartmouth led, 5-4, in shots on goal and the teams were close in corner kicks, with Keene State holding an 8-6 edge.
Shots were few and far between for both teams in the first half, as neither side tested the opposing keeper, to keep it scoreless through the first 45 minutes of action.
Sophomore goalkeeper
Jack Waterhouse made his first stop in the 58th minute, junior
Brayan Rivas Martinez had the first shot on goal for the Corsairs in the 62nd minute.
Keene State broke through in the 75th minute when sophomore Caleb Harmon found the back of the net. The Owls struck again in the 80th minute on a goal from senior Mbambi Mbungu.
Paiva made it a one goal deficit in the 86th minute for his team-leading third score of the season, but Keene State held on for the win.
UMass Dartmouth is home on Wednesday night at 7 p.m. against UMass Boston.
