MADISON, N.J. – Behind four goals from sophomore Wesley Sanders, the VMI lacrosse team earned first-year head coach Jon Birsner his first career win as the Keydets registered a 10-7 win over New Jersey Institute of Technology Saturday afternoon at Drew University in Madison, New Jersey.

Sanders scored three first-half goals and another in the second half to lead VMI's attack, which put heavy heat on the Highlander defense in the opening two quarters to build an insurmountable 8-3 lead at halftime.

A crucial element of the victory came at the hands of junior Brad Nardella, who won 12 of 18 faceoffs to give the Keydets possession. VMI was also successful on 12 of 15 clear attempts.

“Today was a great team effort,” Birsner said. “We've talked a lot lately about fighting out there for 60 minutes and it's good to see our guys do that for each other. Sanders is starting to come into his own. He put our offense on his back and really dodged and shot the ball well.

“I also can't say enough about the heart that Nardella displayed. He was a grinder out there taking most of our faceoffs, winning 60 percent of them and adding a goal. “

Both teams scored a pair of goals in the third period as VMI built a sufficient advantage to win the game despite two unanswered NJIT goals in the final quarter. The VMI defense also created 17 turnovers to help the cause.

“I'm really proud of our defense,” Birsner said. “They have come a long way since we started in the fall and it's great to see them be rewarded. Coach Celentani put together a great game plan and they dug in, fought and got us that win today.“

Tom Nofi, Dan Bull, Cody Sheetz, Nardella, Kyle Walsh and Eric Shaver each tallied a goal for the Keydets in the victory. Freshman Timothy Barile and Nofi were credited with assists during the match.

VMI returns to action Tuesday with the final game of a four-game season-opening road swing as the Keydets take on Delaware at 3 p.m. in Newark, Delaware.