PHILADELPHIA – Hoping for a strong start to the 2016 season under first-year head coach Jon Birsner, the VMI lacrosse team fell to host Saint Joseph's by a 15-5 score Saturday afternoon in Philadelphia.

"It's obviously not the outcome on the scoreboard that we wanted but I was proud of the way our guys competed," Birsner said. "There was a lot of fight out on the field that has been lacking the past few years and that's a credit to our captains who have started to take ownership of how we prepare and practice."

The Hawks jumped to a 5-1 lead after the first quarter and never looked back as Mike Rastivo scored three of his five goals during the game in the opening 15 minutes. After a Rastivo goal put Saint Joseph's up 2-0, VMI sophomore Wesley Sanders took advantage of a man-up opportunity and scored a goal off an assist from freshman John O'Donnell to trim the lead with 10 minutes remaining in the opening stanza.

The momentum continued for the Hawks in the second quarter as SJU upped the advantage to 9-2 by halftime following four goals in the second period. Down 7-1, VMI junior Dale Mattice scored an unassisted goal midway through the quarter for the Keydets' second score of the game.

After a Hawk score early in the third quarter, Sanders struck again for VMI with his second goal of the game to trim the Saint Joseph's lead to 10-3. The Hawks would go on to score three unanswered goals to enter the fourth quarter with a 13-3 advantage.

Tom Nofi scored his first goal of the season midway through the final period for VMI's fourth score of the game. O'Donnell was credited with his second assist of the game in the effort. A native of Goshen, New York, O'Donnell scored his first career goal moments later for VMI's final score of the game.

"We have a lot to work on and clean up all over the field and there's no better way to take a step forward than to face another tough and well-coached Army team tomorrow in New York," Birsner said.

Sophomore goalkeeper Joe Riccadonna was credited with the loss but earned 14 saves for the Keydets in the circle.

The Keydets return to the field Sunday with a matchup against Army West Point slated for noon at Michie Stadium in West Point, New York.