ASHEVILLE, N.C.- For the second time in as many games, sophomore Michael Lloyd provided the only offense for VMI, as the Keydets stunned the Big South's hottest team, UNC Asheville, with a 1-0 victory Saturday afternoon.

Lloyd's sixth goal of the season came in the 21st minute, when Lloyd connected from 15 yards out after an assist from sophomore Charles Nweke. The win extends the Keydets' win streak to four games, the longest in the program's 33-year history.

"It wasn't a pretty game by any means, neither team could really create many chances," said VMI head coach Stephen Ross. "There wasn't much flow to the game, a lot of balls out at midfield. I thought that Kyle Clark and Austin Williams did a great job in the center midfield of controlling all of the stops and starts, and Kevin Aldrich made a great throw-in that led to the goal. It was just one of those games that you hope that you can hold on and not make any mistakes at the end of the game, and we came away with a win."

Asheville had their chances in the game's final 30 minutes, outshooting VMI 5-1. Jordan Holthouser just missed on a direct kick from 20 yards out in the 70th minute, while Matt Scovil's shot with 10 minutes remaining sailed just over the goal.

With the win, VMI improves to 7-4-1 and 2-1-1 in Big South play, while Asheville suffers its first conference defeat of the season, falling to 3-1 in the Big South and 4-5-1 overall. The Keydets are three games over .500 for the first time since September 25, 1999. On that date, the Keydets defeated UNC-Asheville by a 1-0 score in double-overtime, marking the last time VMI had defeated the Bulldogs.

VMI goalkeeper Thomas Upton made four of his five saves in the second half to pick up his third shutout of the season. Michael Pereira made three saves in goal for the Bulldogs.

The statistics tell the story of a very even, physical match. Each team had eight shots, while VMI had six corner kicks to Asheville's four. There were 35 total fouls in the game and five yellow cards were issued. VMI was whistled for the game's only offsides call.

VMI will look to extend their win streak Wednesday afternoon, when they host Averett College at Patchin Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m.