LEXINGTON, Va.- Austin Williams' second goal of the day came in the 82nd minute and lifted VMI to a 3-2 victory over Manhattan College Saturday afternoon at Patchin Field.

The Keydets (3-1) jumped on top early, with goals coming from Williams and Charles Nweke, both early in the opening half. However, the Jaspers (1-2) kept fighting and tied the game in the 56th minute, when Javier Escobedo knocked home a loose ball to even up the contest.

The Keydets kept firing shots, and finally in the 82nd minute broke through. Williams connected off of a cross from the left side of the field by Logan Manning, once again giving VMI the lead with less than nine minutes remaining.

Manhattan wouldn't go down quietly, though. The Jaspers kept fighting and nearly tied the game with one second remaining, when a header went just over the crossbar after a corner kick from the right side.

"We allowed them back in the game on a foul at the top of the box, but we kept fighting," said VMI head men's soccer coach Stephen Ross. "There weren't any guys out there who weren't believing in what we were doing, and we stayed with what we wanted to do. We created a lot of chances and their keeper came up huge. Austin (Williams), made the difference he was capable of making. He's smooth on the ball and he's got so much speed."

"We've still got a lot of improvement to do," continued Ross. "The only thing I want to see is that we're not making the same mistakes time and time again. Our attitude is great. Our guys definitely are all about working for each other. Right now I feel like we're on pace with where we want to be. We've had some good results, and we've got some things we need to work on."

Williams' first goal of the contest came in the 17th minute, when he headed in Rory Page's corner kick to give the Keydets the early lead. Nweke built on that lead, when he knocked home the goal from the right-hand side past the Manhattan keeper.

Manhattan answered in the 41st minute, when Justin Schultz's shot after a VMI foul just outside of the penalty box was deflected home. The Jaspers pulled even on Escobedo's goal, when he knocked home a loose ball in the box.

For the match, the Jaspers were outshot 23-5, but stayed in the game thanks to eight saves by their keeper, Collin Leaver. VMI keeper Thomas Upton made one save in the contest.

The Keydets return to action Thursday afternoon, when they host James Madison. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. at Patchin Field.