RIVERSIDE, Calif. - A goal by Concordia's Meg Dix with just over one minute remaining in regulation cost the VMI Keydets a sweep of their first day of water polo action at the Lancer Invite, hosted Friday by California Baptist University in Riverside, Calif. The Keydets (3-7) dropped the nightcap, 11-10, to Concordia thanks to Dix's goal, but won their opener over Fresno Pacific 7-6.

The opener was a defensive struggle that included 11 saves from Fresno Pacific goalie Courtney Hall, but Natalie Rivas tied the game with 4:03 left and Cecilya Lundy gave VMI the lead for good with an extra attacker goal at 2:24. Celine Lazzaro added insurance with 86 seconds remaining, helping the Keydets overcome a late goal and win, 7-6.

Shelby Barkley had two goals, while Sophia DelBondio and Mackenzie Perkins joined the scoring as well. Alyssa Stevens led FPU with three goals, and the game marked the lowest-scoring game in a VMI win in program history, both for the Keydets and by the combined score. 

In the nightcap, the Keydets led by three goals midway through the first half, but Concordia scored four straight in the fourth quarter and took a 10-8 lead with 3:11 to go. The Keydets answered with power play goals from Barkley and Bailey Huddleston and tied the game with 1:52 left, but could not overcome Dix's game-winner less than 40 seconds later.

Tayla Walsh led Concordia with four goals, while Barkley and Perkins had three apiece for the Keydets. With goals in both games, Barkley extended her goal-scoring streak to 10 consecutive contests.

VMI water polo returns to action Saturday, as the Keydets take part in day two of the Lancer Invite at California Baptist. VMI plays Chapman at 3:45 p.m. ET and then takes on the tournament hosts at 10 p.m. ET.