LEXINGTON, Va. - Despite a career-high three goals from junior attackman Chris Spada, the VMI lacrosse team fell by an 18-5 score at home to Southern Conference opponent Furman Saturday afternoon at Drill Field 2.

The Paladins were led by three goals apiece from David Williamson and William Holcomb as the Keydets struggled to keep up the pace. VMI struck first with a goal from Wesley Sanders at the 11:09 mark of the first quarter, but the remaining time belonged to the Paladins as Furman scored six unanswered goals in the second period to go into the break with an 8-1 advantage.

Hoping for a second-half surge to cut into the deficit, the Keydets allowed six goals to open the third period before Spada scored twice in the final minute. Spada would tally another goal at the 8:02 mark of the fourth quarter with Sanders scoring the final VMI goal with just under four minutes left in regulation.

Furman controlled the faceoff component by winning 18 of 27 attempts and took advantage of three out of four extra-man opportunities as VMI committed five penalties to the Paladins' two.

VMI's Tom Nofi was credited with two assists during the game while freshman John O'Donnell earned another.  Sanders led the team with 12 shots with Nofi contributing four. Freshman Kyle Walsh and Sanders led the team with five groundballs apiece. Walsh also caused four Furman turnovers throughout the game.

The Keydets return to action Tuesday with a matchup on the road with the University of Virginia. The first faceoff is slated for a 7 p.m. start in Charlottesville.