Keydets Fall at Big South Championships, 1-0

Men's Soccer VMIKeydets.com

Men's Soccer Falls to St. Francis

Box Score LEXINGTON, Va. – In game two of the Jay Sculley Memorial Soccer Tournament, the VMI Keydets dropped a 2-0 decision to the visiting St. Francis (N.Y.) Terriers.

With the Terriers clinging to a 1-0 lead late, forward Tevin Jackson made a run deep inside VMI territory. Defender Brandon Gary matched him closely until the two got into the box, when Jackson edged ahead and the two tangled, knocking the St. Francis forward to the ground. Gary received a red card for having pulled Jackson down from behind while inside the box, which led to a penalty kick with just over 15 minutes to play. Forward Robbie Weir converted the kick, knocking it just past an outstretched Brian Sowell to put the Terriers up 2-0 and account for the final margin.

The early portions of the game were back-and-forth with only one save being required, that on a stop by Sowell in the game's sixth minute. However, the Terriers were able to get on the board in the 18th minute, as senior Semso Nikocevic stole the ball from a VMI player deep in the Keydet zone. He then maneuvered into free space and beat Sowell to the keeper's left, giving St. Francis a 1-0 lead.

VMI controlled the pace for the next several minutes, taking four of the game's next five shot attempts. The Keydets tested freshman Terrier keeper Paul Benkert, who was making his first collegiate start, in the 24th minute. Brian Harding was able to maneuver in front of the net, and get off a quick header towards the net. Benkert made the stop to preserve his team's 1-0 advantage, and St. Francis quickly tested Sowell at the other end. Shots by Nikocevic and Farzan Bigdeli were turned away by the Keydet netminder, keeping the score 1-0 into halftime.

In the first half of play, VMI attempted six shots to the Terriers' nine, while Sowell made four saves to one for Benkert. The Keydets had a pair of first-half corner kicks, and held a 6-1 advantage in corners on the day. One of those four second-half corners came early on, as Chris Curtis had the attempt at 52:23. John Sisco got his foot on the ball, but just missed wide left, keeping the score 1-0.

After a pair of Terrier shots were stopped by Sowell, the Keydets had their best chance of the day. Curtis had a corner kick at 63:15, and freshman David Rochow got a clean look at a header towards the net. Benkert made a spectacular, full-extension dive, and while in the air, was able to tip the ball over the crossbar, denying what would have been the game-tying goal.

The ensuing corner kick led to another shot, but it went wide and the Keydets could not mount another, similar attack as the game wound down. Just 10 minutes later, Jackson and Gary tangled, leading to the penalty kick goal that would seal the St. Francis win.

With the win, St. Francis moves to 1-2 on the season, while the Keydets drop to 0-3. Sowell made a season-high nine saves in the setback, while Benkert made two saves for the visitors.

Both the Keydets and Terriers will return to action on Sunday, as the teams take part in day two of the Sculley Memorial Tournament. St. Francis will face Liberty at 1 p.m., who knocked off Rider 4-0 in Friday's early game, while VMI will take on Rider at 3:30.
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Players Mentioned

Chris Curtis

#16 Chris Curtis

M
5' 7"
Junior
Brandon Gary

#5 Brandon Gary

D
5' 11"
Sophomore
Brian Harding

#18 Brian Harding

M
5' 11"
Junior
David Rochow

#23 David Rochow

D
6' 0"
Freshman
John Sisco

#12 John Sisco

M
6' 0"
Junior
Brian Sowell

#0 Brian Sowell

GK
6' 3"
Junior

Players Mentioned

Chris Curtis

#16 Chris Curtis

5' 7"
Junior
M
Brandon Gary

#5 Brandon Gary

5' 11"
Sophomore
D
Brian Harding

#18 Brian Harding

5' 11"
Junior
M
David Rochow

#23 David Rochow

6' 0"
Freshman
D
John Sisco

#12 John Sisco

6' 0"
Junior
M
Brian Sowell

#0 Brian Sowell

6' 3"
Junior
GK