NORTH DARTMOUTH, Mass. – Keene State College senior striker Alex Horne (Harvard, Mass.) was named the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III New England Co-Offensive Player of the Week this afternoon after leading the Owls men’s soccer team to a 1-0-1 mark. Keene State College—unbeaten in its past three matches—made its debut at No. 6 in the latest edition of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Division III New England rankings.

The Owls are making their first appearance in the NSCAA New England rankings since last year’s final standings were released on Oct. 30, 2007.

On Sept. 11, Horne set up the game-winning goal at Springfield College, while adding an insurance marker in the 79th minute to seal the 3-1 victory. The Little East Conference Co-Offensive Player of the Week repeated his three-point performance two days later against Wheaton College, the fifth-ranked club in the NCSAA New England rankings. Horne converted off a penalty kick in the 71st minute for his conference-leading fifth marker of the campaign, but the Lyons netted the equalizer less than two minutes later as the squads battled to a 2-2 draw.

Horne has been instrumental during the Owls’ three-match unbeaten streak, scoring all of his 13 points to lead Keene State to a 2-0-1 record. He registered a season-high seven points, including his first hat trick of the campaign, against Husson College on Sept. 6. Horne’s offensive success has placed him among the national leaders in points per game (29th, 2.6), goals per game (29th, 1.0), and assists per game (79th, 0.6).

Keene State College returns to action at 4 p.m. on Sept. 17, when the Owls travel to Babson College (4-2), who are currently ranked ninth in the regional standings.

2008 NSCAA New England Regional Rankings

Also receiving votes: Wesleyan, Eastern Connecticut State University, Western New England, Bridgewater State College