Bradford Sets Keene State Scoring Record In Victory

BOSTON – Senior forward Katie Bradford (Lebanon, N.H.) scored her 61st career goal in the Owls' 3-0 Little East Conference victory over University of Massachusetts Boston Saturday afternoon at the Clark Athletic Center. Bradford's marker breaks the Keene State all-time record previous held by Philo Robinson (1991).

"It would have been very special for it to happen at home," said Bradford. "I am relieved about the record and now I can go out and play soccer."

After a very even first half that saw the Beacons battling into the wind, Leah Teter (Granville, Mass.) was able to sneak free on the weak side and convert a crossed ball from senior midfielder Nora Mahoney (Belchertown, Mass.) for her first goal of the season to give the Owls the 1-0 halftime advantage.

Bradford made it 2-0 with her record breaking goal just 4:38 into the second half to give Keene State a comfortable two goal cushion. "I took a shot from the top of the 18 yard box and the ball deflected back to me and I was open. I put a good shot on it and it went over the goalies head and into the net," said Bradford. The goal was Bradford's 13th of the season.

The Owls would add an insurance goal when sophomore forward Joan Hamel (Weare, N.H.) benefited from a through ball pass by sophomore midfielder Brittany Croteau (Swanzey, N.H.) that allowed her to challenge Coscia one on one. Hamel calmly beat the netminder for her fifth goal of the season with a low, hard strike that found the back of the net, sealing the 3-0 win for Keene State.

Junior goalkeeper Megan Dempsey (East Weymouth, Mass.) earned her sixth shutout of the season, making two saves on the afternoon for the Owls while Coscia kept the Beacons in it early on, making seven first half saves while finishing the game with nine stops.

UMass Boston's only real scoring opportunity of the match came with just under nine minutes to play in the first half when freshman forward Tayla Andrews (Plymouth, Mass.) was able to elude the Keene State backline and fire a shot from just inside the visitor's 18-yard box, but the shot hit the outside netting by the near post.

Prior to the start of the match, both teams participated in a THINK PINK ceremony in collaboration with the American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer and We Got Soccer. Both teams honored and recognized friends and family members who have been affected by the ongoing fight with the distribution of white roses to symbolize their love and support.

The Owls return to action on Wednesday October 20th when they travel to Amherst College to take on the Lord Jeff's at 4 p.m.