LEXINGTON, Va. – In its first game back to Patchin Field since Sept. 9, the Virginia Military Institute men's soccer team jumped out to an early 2-0 lead on the visiting Camels of Campbell University. But the visitors eliminated the lead, winning 3-2 in a Big South Conference matchup Saturday afternoon.

VMI (1-7-0, 0-2-0 BSC) grabbed a 2-0 lead in the 34^th minute of the match as Matt Seinfeld buried a penalty kick. The Keydets got their first goal of the day in the 27^th minute as sophomore Blake McCauley pushed a header to the right side of the frame, just out of reach of Campbell's keeper, Ethan Hall. McCauley's marker was set up by freshman Hunter Morgan, who sent in a corner kick.

But Campbell rallied, scoring the game's next three goals from three different players to wrest the lead from VMI. The Camels cut VMI's lead in half in the 36^th minute to keep the Keydets on top 2-1 at the break. But Aleksi Tossavanien knotted the game at 2-2 in the 57^th minute. Ten minutes later, Jhuvon Francis scored what proved to be the game-winning goal.

Two of Campbell's goals were assisted, with Ricki Gaez and Justin Franz earning helpers.

VMI versus Campbell has always resulted in close games. Campbell leveled the series 2-2-0, with all four games decided by one goal.

Between the pipes, VMI's junior keeper Daniel Kitchen turned in another solid performance, stopping six Campbell shots but suffered the loss. Opposite him, Hall made six saves as well.

After struggling to find the frame in recent games, VMI's offensive players took eight shots on goal, two resulting in markers. The Keydets totaled 12 shots on the day, with only four not on cage. Once again, it was Matt Seinfeld leading the team in total shots with three, while Kyle Forché matched Seinfeld's total. McCauley tallied two shots on the day, putting both efforts on goal.

The Camels held a slight edge in total shots with 15. Nine of Campbell's 15 shots were on cage. The Camels also held an edge in corner kicks, taking three in each half. VMI earned four in the game, with three coming in the second half. The Keydets challenged late in the game, with two corners in the final five minutes of action.

Four cards were issued during the game, with three coming at the expense of the Keydets. It was a moderately chippy affair, with VMI whistled for eight fouls and Campbell earning seven.

VMI returns to action on Oct. 3 when it heads to North Carolina to take on the Panthers of High Point University. Game time is slated for 7 p.m. at High Point's Vert Stadium.