The teams played a nip-and-tuck opening 15 minutes, with the Keydets firing two shots at the Longwood goalkeeper. The Lancers' netminder made a pair of saves however, and in the 14^th minute, the home team took advantage. Longwood's Zach Mahon got behind the defense, into a one-on-one matchup with VMI goalkeeper Brian Sowell, and Mahon beat the VMI keeper to put the Lancers up, 1-0.

The home team tacked on another goal at the 26:09 mark, as the Lancers' Harvey Headley converted a penalty kick to increase Longwood's edge to 2-0. The Lancers would hold that advantage into the half, thanks in large part to their keeper's five saves, as well as their 11-5 advantage in shots.

The Keydets came out quickly to open the second half, as Sonny Landry converted the first attempt of the period, beating the keeper to cut the lead in half, 2-1. The goal was Landry's first of the season.

The next four minutes of play featured two corner kicks, a failed shot attempt, a save and finally, a goal, as Longwood's Kevin Chico scored off a deflection to push the lead back to two, 3-1. From there, the Keydets fought valiantly, as keeper Sowell made a pair of key saves to keep the deficit at two. Patrick Karnwie took advantage, as the freshman took a pass from Tony Nweke in the 72^nd minute, and fired a one-timer past the Lancers' goalkeeper. At 72:06, the VMI deficit was just one, 3-2, thanks to Karnwie's second goal of the season.

The Keydets attempted to rally, as they put five fresh players in the game for the final 18 minutes, but Longwood's defense held and the Lancers escaped with the 3-2 win.

With the victory, Longwood moves to 3-3-1, while the defeat drops VMI to 0-5. VMI keeper Brian Sowell notched six saves, including five in the second half. However, the Lancers outshot the Keydets 17-10 on the day.

VMI men's soccer returns to action Tuesday, as the Keydets return to the friendly confines of Patchin Field to face crosstown opponent Washington & Lee. Game time is currently scheduled for 4 p.m.