CASTLETON, VT (MyKeeneNow) Picked to finish ninth in August in the Little East Conference preseason coaches’ poll, the Keene State College women’s soccer team had a chip on their shoulder coming into the regular season. The Owls used the polls as motivation to secure the second seed in the conference after going 4-0-4 for the second undefeated LEC regular season in the past three years by picking up the 1-0 win at the University of Vermont Castleton on Wednesday night.
Records
  • Keene State: 9-4-6 (4-0-4 LEC)
  • Castleton: 8-11 (3-5-0 LEC)

How it Happened

Both goalkeepers opened the opening half of action with a save in the opening 14 minutes, and the Owls continued the attack with another pair of shots shortly after, but they missed the net as the game stayed at 0-0 early on. The Owls had a tough time the rest of the opening half going up against the Spartans’ all-time save leader in net, Emma Ezzo, as she came into the contest hot after posting three shutouts last week to take home the LEC Goalkeeper of the Week award. In the final 11 minutes of the half, Ezzo made another two saves, coming on Mikayla Ryan and Kaylee Cormier to keep the game scoreless into the half.
The Owls came out of the gates hot in the second half as they recorded seven shots, along with a pair of corner kicks over the opening 13 minutes of the last half of action. Only two of the shots from KSC were on target as Ezzo saved a shot from each Elizabeth Tschudin and Allison Kenyon and the Spartans’ defense blocked another pair of shots. The Owls’ attack continued to apply the pressure through the half, and it eventually paid off with 19:56 remaining. Following a turnover by the Spartans’ defensive zone, Ryan ripped a shot about 24 yards out, just past the diving Ezzo to find the back of the net for her fourth goal of the season and third in the past four games for the Owls. In the ensuing 10 minutes, Castleton tried to tie the game up at one apiece, but KSC’s goalkeeper, Riley Andriski, made a save and the other shot was blocked by the Owls’ defense to preserve the lead. In the final 10 minutes, the Owls tried to tack on an insurance goal, but Ezzo made a pair of saves and KSC was unable to add another goal. Luckily for the Owls, they were also able to hold off the Spartans as KSC held on for the 1-0 win once again.
“It was a battle, Castleton played us hard,” said Owls’ head coach Sarah Testo. “In the end the girls got it done and accomplished going undefeated in the LEC regular season for the second time in three years.”
Inside the Box
  • KSC improves to 6-7-1 in the all-time series between the two teams as the Owls avenged their 3-0 loss to the Spartans last season.
  • KSC had the clear advantage on the attack on the day, with the 20-3 shot advantage, including 8-2 in shots on goal, to go with 7-5 in corner kicks.
  • Ryan continues her great freshman season for KSC with her third goal, and seventh point, in four games. Ryan has scored her four goals on the season on just 16 shots, seven of which were on target, for a .250 shooting percentage.
  • Andriski picks up her ninth win of the year for the Owls as she made her 53rd appearance in goal over her career, now the seventh most in program history.
  • Andriski also recorded her sixth shutout on the season as she saved both shots that she faced in goal on the day.
  • Despite the second-place finish, the Owls were the only team to finish the season without a loss in LEC play.
Up Next

Keene State earned an opening round bye in the LEC tournament as they will await the winner of the No. 3 University of Southern Maine vs No. 6 University of Massachusetts-Boston matchup in the LEC semifinals on Wednesday, November 5, at the Owl Athletic Complex.
Castleton ends their 2025 season with an 8-11 record and 3-5 record in the LEC with nine points and a seventh-place finish in the LEC.