KEENE, N.H.—Sophomore forward Tyler Jones (Vernon) scored his third game winner in as many games -- this one in overtime -- as the Eastern Connecticut State University men's soccer team left Keene State College with its first road victory over the Owls in 45 years, 1-0, in Little East Conference action at Owl Athletic Complex on Saturday.

At right: Warriors celebrate Saturday's 1-0 OT win at Keene State at the Owl Athletic Complex (Photo by David Stearns)

Jones' fourth goal of the season and third game-winner in the team's last three games came 4:02 into sudden-death overtime on a cross from freshman forward Sean Conway (Southington). Playing in his fifth match, Conway scored his first collegiate point.

Since blanking Keene, 2-0, en route to a second straight undefeated season in 1969, Eastern had gone winless (0-10-4) in matches played on Keene's home field. The Warriors had lost one and tied two at Keene under eighth-year head coach Greg DeVito prior to Saturday.

The Owls (3-5-0, 0-2-0 LEC) have lost in overtime for the second time this season and have dropped their last three at home since an opening victory. Eastern (4-2-2, 2-0-0), the three-time defending LEC champion, remains undefeated this year away from home (3-0-2) with its third straight victory overall.

Keene State took the game to Eastern throughout regulation.  Eddie Mercer forced a couple of early saves from Eastern sophomore keeper Greg Walton (Brunswick, ME), and Aidan Dean's header was wide of the mark.

In the Owl net, Mark Keller made his first start of the season and was not tested until the early part of the second half, stopping a shot by Eastern sophomore midfielder Nicholas Warren (Southbury).  

The Owls turned on the gas in the second half.  Michael Jacques shot wide in the 72nd minute, and again in the 86th minute was denied by Walton.

The Warriors won the game midway through the first overtime.  Conway sent in a low cross for Jones to tap in from point blank range. Overall, Eastern is 4-0-1 in its last five contests with Keene, all of the wins by shutout and three of them by 1-0 scores.

In posting his third shutout in eight starts this year, Walton made a career-high ten saves to lower his goals-against average to 0.71 and improve his save percentage to .872. Since giving up a goal at Western Connecticut late in the first period last Saturday, Walton has amassed a shutout streak of 232 minutes and 47 seconds.

Eastern visits Salem State University Tuesday at 7 p.m. in a non-conference match.