Score: VMI 2, Campbell 1
Site: Lexington, Va. (Patchin Field)
Records: VMI (2-4, 0-1 Big South), Campbell (2-4, 0-0 Atlantic Sun)
Up Next: Wednesday, Sep. 20 - vs. Radford (Patchin Field), 4:00 p.m.


LEXINGTON, Va. -- The VMI men's soccer team scored a pair of first half goals in today's contest with Campbell to lead them to their second victory of the season. The Camels (2-4) got to within a goal with three minutes remaining, but the Keydets (2-4) held off Campbell to secure the non-conference victory at Patchin Field.

For the second straight game, the Keydets have shown vast improvement from the previous contest. After playing an impressive second half against Liberty on Tuesday, the Keydets responded on Saturday with nearly 90 solid minutes to defeat Campbell.

"I am really excited for the guys to come away with this win," said head coach Ben Freakley. "When you work as hard as we do, and you fall into a little slump, it's so good to be able to climb out (of it)."

VMI struck first just 46 seconds into today's match, as Senior forward Charles Nweke beat a pair of defenders and fired a shot across the net past Campbell keeper Aaron Johnson for his fifth goal of the season. The goal was one of the fastest in school history, and the 30th of Nweke's career.

In the 33rd minute of play, senior Edward Mills struck a hard rebound shot from the top of the box that found the back of the net, and pushed VMI's lead up to 2-0. The score would remain unchanged heading into halftime.

"(I was pleased with) our energy off the ball today, and our effort to try and create attacking chances was evident in the first half. We spent a lot of time working on finishing, and it really showed today."

In the second half, the Keydet defense would be tested as they tried to keep the Camels off the scoreboard. For 41-plus minutes, they did just that. Campbell fired off nine shots in the second frame, and were unable to score until Julian Fulton slipped one past VMI keeper Thomas Upton to pull his team within one, and ruin the shutout for the Keydets.

The Keydets would hold off Campbell for the final three minutes of the contest, and come away with a 2-1 win.

"Defensive discipline was much better today except for that late goal," said Freakley. "It was a game I felt we should have shut out the opponents, but you're always happy to come away with a result.

And while today's game was an early season non-conference matchup, Freakley noted the importance of the win.

"Today was a game that could have sent us in the wrong direction," added Freakley. "But to come out here and earn a result today showed a lot of grit. I was just really proud of the guys."

VMI will finish off its three-game homestand as they host Big South Conference foe Radford University (4-3, 1-1 Big South) on Wednesday, Sept. 20 at Patchin Field. Game time is set for 4 p.m.

Game Notes:

-VMI is now 2-0 this season when scoring first.

-The Keydets home record improves to 13-7-1 over the past three seasons at Patchin Field.

-Charles Nweke's 30th career goal moves him to within 6 of Fred Allner's career record of 36.


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