Keene State delivered a decisive performance on March 21 at the Owl Athletic Complex, defeating Salem State 16–8 in a Little East Conference matchup. Despite a competitive middle stretch, the game was largely dictated by Keene State’s relentless offensive pressure and dominance in possession.
The Owls quickly established the tone by scoring six goals in the first quarter. Just 40 seconds into the game, senior attack Jack Ansart gave Keene State the lead, and the team soon gained momentum. Senior attack Dylan Seymour, who was a key player in the early push, scored four of his six goals in the first half alone. Keene State outshot Salem State 21–3 and dominated almost every aspect of play by the end of the first quarter, leading 6–1.
In the second quarter, Salem State found a better offensive rhythm and showed some determination. Junior attack Connor Vittands and sophomore attack Ryan Jones’ goals helped briefly reduce the gap, but KSC kept coming back at crucial times. The Owls led 8–4 at the break as Ansart finished his four-goal performance with two more goals in the quarter.
Both teams scored four goals apiece in the third quarter, which was the most balanced part of the game. During this time, Vittands completed his hat trick and contributions from sophomore attack Landon Rice, while first-year midfielder Juan Vidal put the visitors within striking distance. Thanks to Seymour’s steady scoring and extra output from junior midfielder Jake Dubiel and senior attack Ethan Palma, Keene State kept control. Salem State had trouble holding up defensively, even when it strengthened its offense.
In the fourth quarter, Keene State pulled away for good. The Owls scored four unanswered goals, including two from senior midfielder Cole Ricardi, to extend the lead to its final margin of eight. Salem State was held scoreless in the final period, continuing a trend of difficulty sustaining offense against KSC’s defense late in games.
Statistically, the difference in volume and possession was significant. Keene State outshot Salem State 75–25 and held a 44–12 advantage in shots on goal. The Owls also dominated ground balls (64–27) and faceoffs (28–0), giving them consistent control of the tempo. Salem State junior goalkeeper Ryan Cohen made 28 saves, a strong individual effort that helped keep the score from becoming even more lopsided, but the defensive unit in front of him struggled to limit opportunities.
Seymour led all scorers with eight points (six goals, two assists), while Ansart added four goals of his own. Ricardi contributed four points (two goals, two assists), highlighting the Owls’ balanced offensive attack. For Salem State, Vittands and Jones combined for five goals, accounting for most of its scoring output. Ultimately, the game underscored Keene State’s efficiency and depth, particularly on offense and in possession of play. Salem State showed flashes of competitiveness, especially in the middle quarters, but the early deficit and inability to control the ball proved too much to overcome.
The Owls play another home game next on Saturday, March 28, against the University of Southern Maine.
Alex Vaccaro can be contacted at
