PROVIDENCE, R.I.—Junior defender Kory Pacheco (Smithfield, R.I.) headed in a corner kick from sophomore midfielder Mike Diogo (Bristol, R.I.) in the 68th minute to lift Rhode Island College to a 1-0 win over longtime Little East Conference rival Keene State in Little East Conference men’s soccer action on Saturday afternoon.


It is the first victory for the Anchormen over Keene State since the Owls joined the Little East in 1997. RIC was 0-11-1 vs. KSC prior to today’s win. The Anchormen raise their overall record to 7-4-2 overall and 4-0 in the LEC. The Anchormen are 7-1-2 over their past 10 games.

The Owls (3-7-3, 0-3-1), who were shutout for the sixth time this season, had a flurry of shots with 3:25 to go, but couldn’t get the ball past RIC freshman goalie Justin O’Connor (North Kingstown, R.I.), who turned aside two shots for his sixth shutout of the season. He is 6-2-2 this fall.

Both teams had solid opportunities in a scoreless first half. RIC senior defender Josh Silva (Dartmouth, Mass.) got a foot on a corner kick and redirected the ball just past the goal post. KSC sophomore midfielder Matt Johnson (Walpole, N.H.) had a close-range shot blocked by the Anchormen defense with 6:58 to play in the stanza.

RIC held a 17-7 advantage in shots and a 4-3 lead in corner kicks.

The seven losses tie the mark for KSC in Division III play with the 2000 and 2003 teams.

In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will host Salem State on Wednesday, Oct. 15 at 4 p.m.