LEXINGTON, Va.- Behind goals from junior Kyle Farmer and sophomore Chase Barnett, the Keydets picked up their first win of the season Sun., Sept. 25 by a 2-1 count against UNC Asheville in the Big South Conference opener for both squads at VMI's Patchin Field.

The Keydets (1-8, 1-0 Big South) struck first in the 22^nd minute as Farmer netted the first goal of his Keydet career off a corner kick from junior Kip Zechman. Following the failed Asheville clearance, a composed Farmer beat a pair of Bulldogs defenders inside the 18. The outside midfielder then fired a shot past Asheville goalkeeper Lassi Hurskainen, beating the keeper to his left to give VMI the 1-0 advantage.

VMI nearly added to the advantage with 15 minutes remaining in the opening half, as sophomore Aaron White fed junior David Rochow on a through ball 30-yards out. After Rochow beat his man, he fired a shot that was turned away by Hurskainen with an acrobatic save as he dove to his right.

Asheville (1-5-1, 0-1 Big South) had its best opportunity in of the opening half with 12:45 left. Bulldog midfielder Bobby Castro split a pair of VMI defenders on the left-flank, and sent a pass to Rob May who ripped a shot that hit the left post, leaving the tally 1-0 in favor of the Keydets heading into the half.

The shot count was even heading into the second half as each team had 10 shots apiece, while the Keydets held a 5-2 corner advantage at the intermission.

The Keydets dodged a bullet early in the second stanza, as a Rob May chip shot from 20-yards out went over the head of VMI goalkeeper Taylor Feuerstein who was off his line. However, an alert senior co-captain Brandon Gary headed the ball off the goal line to preserve the VMI lead.

Asheville registered the equalizer in the 60^th minute, as Brian Bartels made a fantastic 30-yard run with the ball at his feet. The Asheville senior beat a pair of VMI defenders on the left flank, then fired a shot from 15-yards out past Feuerstein back post to knot the match at 1-1.

VMI took the lead for good in the 73^rd minute, as sophomore Chase Barnett collected the first goal of his collegiate career as he stripped Hurskainen just outside the Asheville 18-yard box. Barnett then walked the ball into the net, giving Barnett the game-winning strike and VMI's first win of the season.

After a red card was issued to VMI defender Stephen Mallon in the 79^th minute, Asheville pressured with seven shots in the final 11 minutes. However, a stout VMI backline held strong, securing the victory.

Asheville outshot VMI 21-16, but VMI had nine shots on goal to the Bulldogs' six. Hurskainen made seven saves in the defeat, while Feuerstein made four stops in his first collegiate victory. Additionally, the Keydets had eight corners to five for Asheville.

Farmer, Barnett, and junior defender David Rochow each had two shots on goal for VMI, while Bartels led Asheville with six shots on the afternoon.

VMI returns to action for its last non- conference match of the season, hosting the Howard Bison Weds., Sept. 28 at 4 p.m. from Patchin Field. The match will be streamed live on the Big South Network, and live stats will be available via VMIKeydets.com.