Keene State To Face No. 6 Amherst In NCAA Tournament

KEENE, N.H. - After capturing the program's third Little East Conference title in four years, the only question left for the Keene State College women's lacrosse team was, Who is next? The Owls now know the answer, as the Owls will head to Amherst College to face the Lord Jeffs on Wednesday at 7 p.m.

Keene State captured the Little East title with a 13-7 victory over the Western Conn. State University Colonials on Sunday afternoon at Owl Athletic Complex, breaking the program record with 15 wins in a single season.

Sophomore goalie Erin Taylor (Brewster, N.Y.) was named the tournament's Most Oustanding Player, making 14 saves in the championship game for the Owls.

Leading KSC in scoring, the midfield 1-2 punch of sophomore Eliza Witherbee (Newburyport, Mass.) and junior Lauren Brown (Agawam, Mass.), finished the season with 62 and 56 points respectively.

The Lord Jeffs will head into Wenesday's first round contest after being bounced from the NESCAC Championship tournament in the semifinal round with a 7-6 loss to Middlebury College on Saturday afternoon.

Amherst, who has a 12-4 record and ranked No. 6 in the nation, hasn't qualified for the NCAA Tournament since 2008. The Jeffs have made nine appearances in the national tournament, notably winning the 2003 NCAA title and twice finishing as the runner-up.

Marta Randall (Monkton, Md.) and Allie Horwitz (Woodbridge, Conn.) lead the Lord Jeffs offensively, with 42 and 40 points respectively. In goal, Lamia Harik (Rye Brook, N.Y.) has 12-4 record with a 6.53 goals against average.