Owls Hold Off Vikings 3-2

SALEM, MASS. –  Keene State received goals from three different players as the Owls (1-0) opened up the 2019 season with a 3-2 victory over Salem State (0-1) in the second game of the Salem State Men's Soccer Classic on Friday night at Alumni Field.

Connor Downey (West Islip, N.Y.) put Keene State up 1-0 in the 24^th minute. Downey faked out a defender and ripped a shot over the right shoulder of Christopher Jimenez (Nashua, N.H.) for the only score of the first half.

James McCully (Eastham, Mass.) set up the Owls' second score when he chipped a pass to a streaking Emmanuel Smith (Concord, N.H.), who got behind the Salem State defense and easily converted Keene State's second goal in the 47^th minute.

Declan Coughlin (Rome, Italy) made it 3-0 when he beat Jimenez from 15 yards away off a free kick in 51^st minute. 

Paa Sowe (Lynn, Mass.) broke the shutout when he spun and drilled a kick just under the crossbar from 18 yards out in the 71^st minute, making the score 3-1.

Ryan Smith (Shelton, Conn.) engaged the Vikings' hope when he banged in his first goal of the season from deep on the left side of the field over the head keeper Nate Howard (Manchester, Conn.), giving Salem State a chance with just under a minute remaining.

However, Keene State thwarted Salem State's final advance to hold on for a 3-2 victory.  

Howard only had to make one save while Jimenez stopped seven shots for the Vikings. The Owls held a 20-7 advantage in shots.

Emerson and Pine Manor played to a 2-2 tie in the earlier game. The Classic resumes tomorrow with Salem State hosting Emerson at 1:00 PM while Pine Manor faces Keene State at 4:00 PM.