STATESBORO, Ga. - An early goal from freshman forward Parker Thurman (Virginia Beach, Va./ Cox) wasn't enough as VMI lost, 4-1, at Southern Conference foe Georgia Southern on Saturday.

The loss dropped the Keydets' record to 1-4-3 overall and 1-2 in SoCon play. Georgia Southern saw its record improve to 2-6 overall and 1-0 in conference play.

VMI started strong when Thurman knocked in a header off a pass from freshman forward Thomas Angus (Mechanicsville, Va./ Atlee) to give the Keydets a 1-0 lead 7:36 into the game. Sophomore midfielder Austin Williams (Fairfax, Va./ Robinson) also had an assist on the goal.

It didn't take long for the Keydets to see their lead disappear as Georgia Southern's Devin Mizell scored off assists from Martin Cunningham and Chad Denson with 22:02 left in the first half. Georgia Southern scored two more goals before halftime to take a 3-1 advantage at the intermission.

The first of those came from the foot of Jeff Russell with 13:32 left, and Tony Moffat added Georgia Southern's third goal with 5:16 remaining in the half.

The Keydets slipped further behind early in the second half as Elliott Ulmer sent a header into the net 10:36 after the intermission, giving Georgia Southern a 4-1 lead.

VMI managed three shots on goal in the second half, but Georgia Southern's defense held strong, not allowing a score.

The Keydets return to action on Sunday, Oct., 6 when they host UNC Asheville in a 1 p.m. contest at Patchin Field.

Scoring By Halves 1 2 F Records
VMI 1 0 1 (1-4-3)
Georgia Southern 3 1 4 (2-6)

Scoring Summary
Parker Thurman (VMI) 7:36 (Austin Williams/ Thomas Angus)
Devin Mizell (GSU) 22:58 (Martin Cunningham/ Chad Denson)
Jeff Russell (GSU) 31:28 (Isaac Payne)
Tony Moffat (GSU) 39:44 (unassisted)
Elliott Ulmer (GSU) 55:36 (Jeff Russell/ Martin Cunningham)
-VMI-