DANIEL ISLAND, SC -- Seventh-seeded VMI scored early in the first half and secured a 2-0 upset vicory over second-seeded Appalachian State on Thursday in the quarterfinals of the Southern Conference Men's Soccer Championships at Bishop England High School on Daniel Island, SC. VMI
improves to 3-10-4 and Appalachian State drops to 13-5-1 ends the season 3-15-2.

It was VMI's first win in the SoCon tourney since a 2-1 overtime win over Georgia Southern on November 6, 1992. It was also the Keydets' first ever win over Appalachian State in 34 meetings. VMI was 0-32-1 in their 33 previous meetings.

VMI got on the board early in the match when freshman forward Parker Thurman (Virginia Beach, Va./ Cox) scored on a loose ball in front of the goal after a scramble in the goalkeeper box. Senior forward Daniel Whitehall (Royal Palm Beach, Fla./ Suncoast) added an insurance goal for the Keydets in the 85th minute when he took a pass from freshman defenseman Kevin Aldrich (Chesapeake, Va./ Hickory) and slid it just past
Appalachian State's Greg Brooks.

Junior goalkeeper Morgan Harris (Powell, Ohio/ Worthington Killbourne) recorded two saves and picked up his first shutout of the season.

VMI will take on the winner of the Davidson/Georgia Southern match at 4:30 pm Saturday.