Lexington, Va. -- In the closest Lee-Jackson Lacrosse Classic since 1989, Washington and Lee defeated VMI, 9-8 on Tuesday night at the W&L Astroturf Field. VMI's senior midfielder Brian Niven (Barrington, Ill./ Barrington) scored with 11:57 remaining in the game to cut the Generals' lead to 9-8, but W&L retained possession of the ball for the majority of the game's waning minutes and hung on for the one-goal victory. W&L sophomore attackman Gavin Molinelli (Northport, N.Y./ Northport) was named W&L's recipient of the Worrell-Fallon Most Valuable Player Award. He scored three goals and dished out two assists on the night. VMI's senior goalkeeper Brian Ward (Novi, Mich./ Novi) took home the Keydets' award with 10 saves, five coming in the fourth quarter.
The win was the 100th in the career of W&L head coach Mike Cerino.
Molinelli scored two first quarter goals to lead W&L (6-2, 2-1 ODAC) to a 4-0 lead after the first stanza. VMI (3-5, 3-1 MAAC) stormed back in the second quarter, outscoring the Generals, 4-1 behind two goals from senior attackman Leo McInerney (Syracuse, N.Y./ Marcellus). The Keydets scored the final four goals of the half to knot the game at the break.
In the third quarter, W&L scored four more goals to VMI's two, including one of a face-off from senior midfielder Tommy Melanson (Baltimore, Md./ Loyola), which proved to be the difference. Melanson won 14 of 19 face-offs on the night.
Molinelli led the Generals in scoring. Junior midfielder Dustin Martin (Manilius, N.Y./ Fayetteville-Manilius) added two goals for W&L. McInerney led VMI with two goals and two assists. Niven and sophomore midfielder Gabe McCaig (Painted Post, N.Y./ Corning West) each had a goal and an assist.
Junior goalkeeper Ansel Sanders (Weems, Va./ Woodberry Forest) made eight saves for W&L.
VMI scored on three of its four extra-man opportunities.
VMI will continue its Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference schedule on Saturday, hosting Providence at Patchin Field, starting at 11 a.m. W&L will play at Hampden-Sydney on April 12 at 1 p.m.
Washington and Lee 9, VMI 8
By Quarters
1 2 3 4 OT Final Record
Washington and Lee 4 1 4 0 -- 9 (6-2, 2-1 ODAC)
VMI 0 5 2 1 -- 8 (3-5, 3-1 MAAC)
Goals
VMI - Leo McInerney 2, Gabe McCaig 1, Tony Cavalero 1, Robert Trimble 1, Matt Dixon 1, Will Collier 1, Brian Niven 1.
Washington and Lee - Gavin Molinelli 3, Dustin Martin 2, Richard Williams 1, Jack Murray 1, Jimmy Zunka 1, Tommy Melanson 1.
Assists
VMI - Leo McInerney 2, Brian Niven 1, Gabe McCaig 1.
Washington and Lee - Gavin Molinelli 2, Matt Fink 1, Mark McLewee 1.
Other Statistics
Shots - VMI 32, W&L 29
Ground Balls - W&L 44, VMI 29
Faceoffs Won - W&L 14, VMI 5
Goalie Saves - VMI 10 (Brian Ward 10); W&L 10 (Ansel Sanders 10)
Clears - W&L 11 of 16 attempts, VMI 15 of 22 attempts
Extra Man Scoring - VMI 3 of 4, W&L 0 of 2
Penalties - W&L 4 for 3:30, VMI 2 for 1:30
