KEENE, N.H. - Senior Eric Caldwell (East Moriches, N.Y.) notched a game-high five goals and one assist while junior Donald Schaumloffel (Wantagh, N.Y.) chipped in with a hat trick to lead the third-seeded Western Connecticut State University men's' lacrosse team to an 11-10 victory at second-seeded Keene State in the Little East Conference Postseason tournament semifinal round on Thursday night. With the win, the Colonials improved to 6-2 overall, while the Owls suffered their first loss of the season and ended the campaign at 5-1. WestConn advances to the LEC Finals where they will square up against top-seeded host UMass-Boston on Saturday at 4 p.m. The Beacons breezed past fifth-seeded Plymouth, 17-9, in the other semifinals meeting.

After falling to the Owls in the home and season opener, the Colonials came out ready to play and erupted to seize an early 8-1 lead. Schaumloffel earned his three goals in the first quarter. WestConn drew first blood when he notched his 15th scoring strike of the year less than two minutes into the contest. He would add an unassisted man-up tally later in the stanza before rounding it out with his 17th goal, widening the visitors lead to 6-1.

Caldwell would fire home his fourth goal of the game and team-leading 26th marker of the season off a feed from sophomore middie Benjamin Hawthorne (Manorville, N.Y.), extending the lead to 8-1 midway through the second quarter. Keene would cut it to 8-2 at the half.

The squads exchanged a pair of goals in the third quarter before the hosts rallied in the fourth. The Owls buried three straight to cut the deficit to 10-7 before Hawthorne netted his eighth goal of the campaign, making the count 11-7 midway through the final period. 

The hosts would add another pair of tallies. WestConn senior netminder Perry Cassidy (East Setauket, N.Y) recorded a stellar point blank save with 2:20 remaining to keep the Owls off the board. However, Keene sophomore Cooper Cioffi (St. Albans, VT) gathered a loose ball off a failed dodge attempt and connected with the top corner of the twine, slicing the advantage to 11-10 and setting up a nailbiting conclusion. 

With the momentum swinging their way, the Owls won the ensuing faceoff and managed to obtain a time out as they were nearly stripped of ball possession with 1:07 remaining. As play resumed, WestConn forced a turnover and was able to play keep away for the waning seconds. 

Cassidy finished with a solid 13-save performance, while Keene rookie goalie Charlie Ciuliotti (Reading, Mass.) was equally impressive, stopping 23 shots. The Colonials outshot the Owls, 50-32. Despite losing the faceoff battle, 19-2, WestConn was able to force 23 turnovers while committing just 11. 

"I'm so proud of our team right now. This is a tremendous program win. I am so thankful for our seniors belief in the program and what we have been seeking to accomplish," said WestConn head coach Ryan Cavanagh following the victory. "Our player's and alumni's hard work has paid off and we are excited for our opportunity on Saturday," he concluded.