LEXINGTON, Va. -- Sophomore midfielder Austin Williams (Fairfax/ Robinson) sent a header from senior midfileder Patrick Szvetitz's (Valrico, Fla./ Jesuit) corner kick into the back of the net at with 14:04 left in the game to give the VMI soccer team a 3-2 victory over Wofford in the Southern Conference opener for both teams on Saturday afternoon at Patchin Field.

Williams also blew a shot past Wofford goalkeeper Russ Sandifer for an unassisted goal with 17:57 left in the contest to tie the game at 2-2.

VMI jumped on the scoreboard early when senior forward Daniel Whitehall (Royal Palm Beach, Fla./ Suncoast) nailed a shot past Sandifer to give the Keydets a 1-0 advantage 3:25 into the game.

Wofford quickly answered as Chris O'Neill scored off an assist from Chris Findley, knotting the match at 1-1 at the 6:06 mark. Wofford took the lead midway through the first half when Carter Ladd gathered a deflection off VMI goalkeeper Morgan Harris (Powell, Ohio/ Worthington Kilbourne) and put it into the back of the net at the 23:12 mark to give Wofford a 2-1 lead.


"I'm really happy with our team responded," stated VMI head coach Ross. " We really came roaring back and stayed disciplined the whole game. That's the biggest thing we needed to do. On the individual side, Austin Williams played a great game and put a couple of nice goals in. I'm really proud of the kids, because the stayed disciplined."

The Keydets return to action on Tuesday when they travel to Davidson for a 4:30 p.m. contest.

Scoring By Halves 1 2 F Records
Wofford 2 0 2 (1-5)
VMI 1 2 3 (1-2-3)

Scoring Summary
Daniel Whitehall (VMI) 3:25 (unassisted)
Chris O'Neill (WOF) 6:06 (Chris Findley)
Carter Ladd (WOF) 23:12 (unassisted)
Austin Williams (VMI) 72:03 (unassisted)
Austin Williams (VMI) 75:56 (Patrick Szvetitz)

Shots - VMI 16, Wofford 8
Corner Kicks - VMI 7, Wofford 6
Goalkeeper Saves - VMI 2, Wofford 4
Fouls - VMI 12, Wofford 8