MACON, Ga. -- Update: Due to an outbreak of food poisoning that has affect up to 20 VMI lacrosse student-athletes, coaches, and support personnel, Saturday's VMI-Mercer game has been moved to 7 pm this evening from its original starting time of noon.
The 7 p.m. start time is contingent on the recovery of the VMI personnel to play the game at the amended time of 7 pm.
VMIkeydets.com as well as VMI Athletics Facebook and Twitter accounts will provide any updates that may occur.
GAME PREVIEW - The Atlantic Sun era continues on Saturday for the Virginia Military Institute men's lacrosse team as the Keydets make their way to Macon, Ga. for a 7 pm game with Mercer University at Mercer University Stadium.
How to Catch The Action
Mercer has set ticket prices for all fans at $5 at Mercer University Stadium. Those unable to attend can follow the action through a live statistical link. There will also be live in-game updates through the team's official Twitter account, @VMILacrosse
Weather.com Report
Saturday's weather in Macon is expected to have temperatures in the low 70s with mostly cloudy skies. There is a 10 percent chance of rain with light winds from the southwest at 6 MPH.
The Series
Saturday's game will be the first time since 2011the Keydets travel to Macon, Ga. to take on the Bears. VMI's head coach Brian Anken is 2-1 all-time against Mercer, with his first win at VMI coming over the Bears in 2011.
The Keydets hold control of the all-time series at 2-1, including a 1-0 mark in Macon. This year marks the fourth-straight season VMI and Mercer will meet.
On This Date: March 15
March 15 has been kind to the Keydets over the years, as VMI is 5-2 all-time on this date. VMI is playing its first game on March 15 since the 2008 season, a 9-7 victory over Marist in MAAC play.
All-time, VMI is 2-0 in league games on this date, topping Marist in 2008 and Canisius in 2003 13-9.
VMI has never played a true road game on March 15, but has several neutral-site games on the books.
National Rankings - March 10
As a team, VMI is currently ranked 10th in the country in caused turnovers per game, forcing opponents into 9.86 per game. Junior defenseman Tyler Prasnicki is currently ranked fifth in the country and second in the Atlantic Sun in the same category, forcing 2.57 opponent errors per game. Freshman Tom Brown is 15th nationally with 2.0 per game.
Junior goalkeeper Evan Windisch is ranked 16th in the country in saves per game, making an average of 11.57 per game.
50 Nifty Points of Mickey Hofmeister
During VMI's Atlantic Sun opener at High Point, senior captain Mickey Hofmeister surpassed the 50-point milestone. His goal at the 13:02 mark in the third quarter gave the Williamsburg, Va. native his 50th career point.
Hofmeister has battled the injury bug during his time at VMI and has been healthy for just one full season as a Keydet, his freshman campaign (2011). Overcoming the injuries, Hofmeister averages 2.0 points per game with a balanced 24 goals and 28 assists in 26 games.
Going Up!
VMI's offense got off to a slow start, but it has continued to improve with each game. In the Feb. 23 National Statistics rankings, VMI averaged 5.67 goals per game. In this week's edition, VMI has jumped to 6.29.
The Keydets have also improved their groundballs per game over four points, averaging 25.67 in the Feb. 23 stats ranks and 29.29 in the most recent rankings. VMI has gone from being Ranked 48th in groundballs per game to 29th this week.
