LEXINGTON, Va. – Facing one of the top teams in the country, the VMI lacrosse team was defeated by a 17-3 score to No. 8-ranked Virginia Tuesday evening at Drill Field #2.

The Keydets (0-10) battled on the offensive end, falling by a slim 38-31 margin in shot attempts throughout the game and outshooting the Cavaliers 11-8 in the opening quarter and 11-9 in the fourth. The Cavaliers only won the faceoff battle by a 14-10 ratio during the game.

Virginia (7-2) gradually built a 4-0 lead after one quarter off scores from Owen Van Arsdale, Tyler German, Joe French and Greg Coholan. Despite several close scoring opportunities for the Keydets, Virginia continued to build its lead to go into the break with an 11-0 advantage.

The third period saw additional scoring chances for VMI go wide of the net as the Cavaliers countered with quick scoring strikes to build a 15-0 lead with one quarter to go.

After two final Cavalier scores in the fourth, VMI scored three times in the final three minutes of the game to avoid the shutout. Keydets Wesley Sanders, Chris Spada and Eric Groleau earned the goals to end the game on a positive note for VMI.

Four Cavaliers earned hat tricks during the game while five others had individual goals.

Sanders led the Keydets with eight shots during the game followed closely by Domenick Stumpo (6) and Dan Bull with four. Defenseman Tyler Prasnicki showed hustle by picking up five groundballs while five others had three. Bull also caused two turnovers during the game.

Goalie Matt Barrett of Virginia earned the win with eight saves while VMI starting goalie Joe Riccadonna picked up his first loss of the year.

The Keydets resume league play on Saturday, April 4 when Mercer visits Drill Field #2. Game time is scheduled for a 12 p.m. start.