LEXINGTON, Va. -- After battling back to tie the score at 1-1 heading into halftime, the Keydets (1-2) netted three second half scores to pick up their first win of the year with a 4-2 victory over the Gardner-Webb Bulldogs (0-2-1) on Wednesday. Sophomore striker Tony Nweke scored twice, while junior Wythe Horbal and freshman David Hill each registered goals to lead the Keydets on a sunny and humid day at Patchin Field.
After struggling to score in their first two contests, the Keydets erupted for four goals today, marking the highest offensive output since October 18, 2005 when VMI defeated Lynchburg 4-1. Nweke, who now wears #9 like his brother Charles did at VMI, looked equally as impressive by converting a breakaway goal in the 72nd minute and converting a penalty kick to seal the win on the 86th minute.
Gardner-Webb opened the scoring in the game in the 22nd minute when Richard Godfrey put home a deflected ball after an initial save by VMI goalie Brian Sowell on Adam Augruso's shot.
Just when the Bulldogs seemed likely to head into the half with a 1-0 lead, Horbal received a long feed from freshman Zach Morgan, dribbled to his left and fired a rocket past the outstretched arms of GWU keeper Dane Geraci. The two teams headed into halftime tied at 1-1 despite GWU outshooting VMI 15-3.
As halftime was winding down, members of the VMI Corps of Cadets slowly began filtering down to the field to cheer on their classmates. However, the Bulldogs quickly quieted the crowd with a goal by Godfrey just 17 seconds into the half. VMI's Sowell could not control a loose ball and Godfrey was there to net his second of the game.
But the support from the Corps would help the Keydets respond again, this time with three unanswered goals by Nweke and Hill. Hill provided the equalizer in the 53rd minute with a one-timer from the top of the box, his first collegiate goal. Nweke would then put VMI ahead and secure the win with his first and second goals of the season.
Despite being outshot 22-12 by the Bulldogs, the Keydets connected for goals on three of their nine shots in the second half to come away with the win. Sowell finished with seven saves in the game to earn his first collegiate victory while GWU's Geraci grabbed five.
VMI will now have a week off to prepare for the Howard Bison, who come to Lexington next Wednesday, Sept. 12 for a 4 p.m. game. The Keydets will then round out a three-game home stand by hosting USC-Upstate on Sunday, Sept. 16 at 1 p.m. Both games to be played at Patchin Field.
