Score: BSC 3, VMI 2
Site: Lexington, Va. (Patchin Field)
Records: BSC (5-8-1, 2-2-1 ); VMI (2-12-1, 0-6)
Up Next for VMI: Saturday, October 21 - at UNC Asheville (Greenwood Field), 1:00 p.m.



LEXINGTON, Va. -- Despite mounting a feverish rally in the second half, the Keydets couldn't overcome three first-half scores from Birmingham-Southern as they dropped a 3-2 decision to the Panthers on Thursday at Patchin Field. VMI received goals from seniors Parker Thurman and Mike Lloyd in the opening minutes of each half, and fellow first classman Tommy Upton recorded eight saves in goal for the Keydets on Senior Day.

Birmingham-Southern picks up its second conference win of the season to improve to 5-8-1 and 2-2-1 in the Big South, while VMI falls to 2-12-1, and 0-6 in conference play.

A big sigh of relief came from the Keydet sideline in the opening minutes of the game, as Thurman headed in a well-placed corner kick from Charles Nweke to put VMI on the scoreboard first, and end the team's five-game scoreless drought. The goal was the third of the season for Thurman, and ninth of his career. The goal was also the second fastest score of the season for the Keydets.

The rest of the half, however, would belong to Birmingham-Southern. The Panthers would rattle off three straight goals off the foot of junior forward Gino Cozzolino, two of them coming via the penalty kick. The hat trick gives him a team-best seven on the season.

But as they did in the first half, VMI jumped out of the gate quickly in the second when Nweke fed a pass through the defense to a streaking Mike Lloyd. Lloyd took a few dribbles, and calmly slipped one past Panthers' goalie Joseph Anthony for his first of the season, and 20th of his career. With the assist, Nweke moves into a tie for second place on VMI's all-time scoring list with 79 points.

Later in the half, the Panthers had a pair of chances to up their lead in the contest, but a pair of shots headed for the back of the net were knocked away by VMI midfielder Jose Andueza before they crossed the line. Upton also reeled in a pair of big saves to keep the game to within a goal.

With 15 minutes remaining, it appeared as though the Keydets had tied the game up when Lloyd volleyed in a shot from sophomore Barrett Luxhoj, only to see the score called back for offsides for the second time in as many games.

In the end, the Panthers would hold off the Keydets to come away with their second conference win of the season, and fourth straight over the Keydets. BSC has come away with one-goal victories in each of the four matches.

Today's contest also marked the fourth Big South Conference loss of the season for the Keydets that came by just a single goal (the other two losses were by two).

The Panthers fired off 25 shots in the contest, including 17 in the opening half. VMI managed to get off eight shots in the game. BSC also held a slight edge in corner kicks, 9-6.

Upton had another big day in goal for the Keydets, grabbing eight saves in the contest. His counterpart, Joseph anthony, only needed to make one stop to pick up his fourth win of the season.

VMI will round out its Big South regular season schedule on Saturday, October 21 when they travel to Asheville, N.C. to face the UNC Asheville Bulldogs at Greenwood Field. Game time is set for 1 p.m., and can be listened to via the Bulldogs internet broadcast.

Game Notes:

-Prior to the contest, VMI took a moment to honor its six seniors: Mike Lloyd, Charles Nweke, Addison Palanza, Parker Thurman, Thomas Upton and Josh Van Cleef.
-The national anthem for today's contest was sung by the Waddell Elementary School chorus.



See Also:
2006 Photos Ą 2006 Season Stats Ą Career Stats Ą 2006 VMI Media Guide