ROCK HILL, S.C. -- After 45 minutes of scoreless action, the fourth-seeded Radford Highlanders connected on two second half scores to knock off VMI 2-0 in the opening round of the Big South Conference Tournament. Radford used a 10-1 second half shot advantage to pull away from the Keydets on a windy day at Eagle Field at Winthrop University.

With the loss, VMI ends its season with a 6-10-3 record. The Highlanders improve to 10-8, and will move on to the semifinal round to face the #1 seed Coastal Carolina Chanticleers on Friday at 4 p.m.

After a scoreless opening 45 minutes, Radford opened the game's scoring just over four minutes into the second half when Justin Zimmer headed in his first goal of the season. Zimmer's goal came off a deflected throw in from teammates Davori Husadzinovic and Paul Caruso.

The Highlanders would add to their lead at the 67:54 mark when Husadzinovic collected a long feed from Franklin Elimbi and bent a well-place ball around VMI goalie Brian Sowell. The score came from the top of the 18-yard box and was Husadzinovic' seventh goal of the year.

Meanwhile, the Keydets were unable to get things going in the second half. Playing without three starters for the game, VMI struggled to create scoring chances and were held to just four shots, forcing Radford keeper Zach Roszel to make just one save in the match.

Roszel's counterpart, Sowell, grabbed five saves on the day for the Keydets in 75 minutes of action, before yielding to senior Steve Phillips for the remainder of the game.

For the game, Radford held a 17-4 advantage in shots and a 7-0 edge in corner kicks. VMI was also whistled for 13 fouls, while Radford committed 12.

Despite today's result, the future of the VMI men's soccer programs looks bright. Next year, the Keydets will return all 11 of its starters from this season and 19 of the 22 players on the current roster.