ANNAPOLIS, Md. - A seven-goal first quarter gave the #12 Navy Midshipmen a lead they would not relinquish, as they knocked off the visiting VMI Keydets 16-5 in the season opener for both teams, played Saturday at Rip Miller Field in Annapolis, Md.
Navy was able to fire 18 shots at VMI starting keeper Sean McCoy in the opening period, as six different players scored in the opening period. With the win, Navy moves to 1-0 and the Keydets fall to 0-1.
After the first 15 minutes, VMI made a goalie change, bringing in redshirt freshman Kelly McMinn for his collegiate debut. McMinn was very impressive, stopping eight shots and helping turn VMI's defensive effort around. Tim Moran led the Keydets offensively, scoring three goals in the opening game of his senior season, while Brett Leonard and Colin Bosse also scored.
The home team got off to a quick start, as Nikk Davis got Navy on the board less than two minutes into the contest. The next four minutes were scoreless, but a Kevin Doyle goal at 9:30 started a spurt of three Midshipmen goals in 98 seconds. A man-up goal capped the run at the 7:52 mark, and that put the Mids up 4-0. They added three goals late in the quarter to account for the 7-0 advantage.
The Keydets got a man-up opportunity to open the second period, thanks to an three-minute illegal equipment penalty. They took advantage quickly, as Brett Leonard scored off a pass from Keith Long to cut the deficit to 7-1. The goal came just 17 seconds into the period, but the Keydets weren't done. 1:45 later, Leonard found Moran for another Keydet goal to make it 7-2 with 12:58 left in the half.
From there, the teams settled into a defensive quarter. McMinn made several impressive saves, and with 1:54 left in the half, Colin Bosse found the back of the net for VMI's third consecutive goal. Navy was able to strike for a quick goal before halftime, accounting for the margin of 8-3, Navy.
The Mids retook command in the third, outscoring VMI 6-1 to hold a 14-4 edge. Moran scored VMI's lone goal in the third, and also found the back of the net in the fourth. Along with Moran's late score, Navy notched a pair of goals in the final 15 minutes to account for the final margin, 16-5.
For the second straight season opener, Stephen Robarge was impressive at the face-off X for VMI, as he won 15 of 21 draws he contested on the day. All told, the Keydets were 17 for 23 in that statistic, but Navy overcame that by going 21 for 23 in clear attempts while VMI was 16 for 23.
The Keydets will return to action next Saturday, as VMI travels to West Point, N.Y. to take on the Army Black Knights. Game time at Michie Stadium is set for noon.
