CONWAY, S.C. ? In his first collegiate start, freshman Robbie McRight scored the game's only goal as the Coastal Carolina men's soccer team defeated VMI 1-0 in each team's Big South opener Saturday afternoon at the CCU Soccer Field. With the win, Coastal improves to 2-5-1 overall and 1-0 in the Big South, while the Keydets fall to 4-3-1 and 0-1 in the League.

In an exciting match that featured six yellow cards and a red card issued against the hosts, the Chanticleers outshot the Keydets by an 11-10 margin. Each team also had five corner kicks and was whistled for two offsides in the contest.

The game's only scoring came when McRight McRight (Marietta, Ga./Lassiter) connected on a header off a free kick by junior Djamel Bekka (Tulsa, Okla./Union) at 8:34 for the game's only goal. It was the fourth assist on the season for Bekka.

Coastal freshman Kelly Porter (Wichita, Kan./Trinity Academy) received a red card just over five minutes into the second half, forcing the Chants to play a man down the remainder of the contest.

Coastal's Phillip Latham (Annandale, Va./Falls Church) recorded three saves in his first career shutout. The reigning Big South Player of the Week, VMI freshman keeper Brian Sowell (Yorktown, Va./Tabb), made four saves for the Keydets.

The Keydets next return to action on Wednesday afternoon, taking on Washington & Lee across town at 4 p.m.