WILLIMANTIC, Conn. – Two-time defending Little East Conference women's soccer playoff champion Keene State College erased an early one-goal deficit, scoring twice in the second half to eliminate top-seeded Eastern Connecticut State University, 2-1, Thursday afternoon at Thomas Nevers Field and advance to the final for the third straight year.

After going eight years between its second and third championships, Keene looks to match Western Connecticut State University (which did it twice) by winning three straight championships. On Saturday, fifth-seeded Keene (11-6-4) will visit either second-seeded Western or third-seeded University of Massachusetts Boston, who were scheduled to play their semifinal match Thursday at 7 p.m. at Danbury.

Having previously lost eight consecutive matches on Eastern's home field, Keene fell behind less than four minutes into the match, but did not allow another goal. Junior forward Brittany Tolla tied the match for Keene seven minutes into the second half when she capitalized a crossing pass from sophomore forward Morgan Kathan that was mishandled by the Eastern defense inside six yards. Kathan gained control by outracing an Eastern defender to the ball on the end line, making a crossover dribble, and sending the ball into the area. Tolla was there when the ball popped loose, and headed it into a vacated goal.

Moving the ball crisply and spreading the field in the second half after a lackluster opening 45 minutes, Keene scored what proved to be the game-winner  with 16:20 left when senior forward Ellen Granata  took a short pass at the top corner of the 18-yard box from senior midfielder Shannon Summers, took two touches and blasted a 15-yard under over the head of Eastern senior keeper Rachel Skelton (East Lyme) and under the crossbar. Keene's pressure defense initiated the go-ahead goal with a throw-in after forcing the Warriors to send the ball out of bounds in front of the Keene bench.

The loss at home is the first for Eastern (13-4-1) after four wins against Little East competitors this year.  And ends the Warriors' season-high six-game winning streak.

Eastern, which edged Keene 1-0 at Keene during the regular season, got out quickly when sophomore midfielder Nikki Basilicato (Guilford) converted the team's first shot just 3:39 into action. Basilicato controlled a short pass from sophomore back Michele D'Agata (West Suffield) and carried a great distance right through the Keene defense. When the Owls' defense failed to collapse on her in the box, Basilicato drilled a low, left-footed six-yarder in a one-on-one situation with junior keeper Danielle Warhall  inside the far post.

Warhall stopped four shots and Skelton three, the Warriors outshooting the Owls, 13-8. Eastern held a decisive 8-1 advantage in corner kicks, but could not capitalize on any.