Lacrosse Returns to the Keystone State for Clash with #17 Lehigh

Lacrosse VMIKeydets.com

Lacrosse Returns to the Keystone State for Clash with #17 Lehigh

BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- Another Saturday, another road game for the Virginia Military Institute men's lacrosse team, which opens the month of March with a game at #17/#16 Lehigh University Saturday afternoon at Ulrich Sports Complex. The Keydets and Mountain Hawks battle at 2:30 p.m. on the turf field side of the complex.

Fans who cannot make the trek to Bethlehem can follow the action through a live stats link. There will also be a video stream, available through Game Central for a $7.95 fee. Fans can also stay informed with periodic updates through the team's Twitter feed, @VMILacrosse.

Weather.com Report
Weather.com states that tomorrow's weather is expected to be in the 40s, with possible showers in the afternoon. It will be windy in Bethlehem, with winds from the northwest at 12 miles per hour. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

The Series
The Keydets and Lehigh first squared off in 1988, with VMI grabbing the win 14-9 in Lexington. The Keydets won four of the first five meetings in a series that was contested every season from 1988-2001.

Since VMI joined the MAAC in 2003, VMI has played Lehigh just twice, once in 2003 and last season. The Mountain Hawks have traveled to Lexington for both of those games and Saturday's game is the first meeting in Bethlehem since 2001.

The Mountain Hawks are 11-5 all-time in the matchups, including 6-3 in their hometown. VMI's last win in Bethlehem was an 11-10 overtime victory in 1992.

When Last They Met
Despite the outcome of last season's game, which #16 Lehigh won 6-2 at VMI's SprinTurf Field, the contest proved to be the turning point for VMI last year. The six goals allowed by J Rice, who made his first start of the year, were the fewest allowed by VMI since the 2010 season.

VMI's goals came from Drew Leonard and Draius Mills, while Andrew Nieminski chipped in an assist. Lehigh's Lao-Gosney twins, Roman and Cameron, accounted for three points. Roman had two goals while Cameron tallied an assist.
In goal for the Keydets, Rice made a career-high 13 saves, playing in all 60 minutes of the game. Rice weather the storm as the Mountain Hawks unleashed 37 shots, including 24 in the first half. VMI managed 26 attempts, with 11 coming in the final quarter.
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Players Mentioned

Drew Leonard

#19 Drew Leonard

A
6' 2"
Senior
Draius Mills

#33 Draius Mills

A
5' 9"
Freshman
Andrew Nieminski

#22 Andrew Nieminski

M
6' 1"
Senior
J Rice

#5 J Rice

G
6' 2"
Junior

Players Mentioned

Drew Leonard

#19 Drew Leonard

6' 2"
Senior
A
Draius Mills

#33 Draius Mills

5' 9"
Freshman
A
Andrew Nieminski

#22 Andrew Nieminski

6' 1"
Senior
M
J Rice

#5 J Rice

6' 2"
Junior
G