LEXINGTON, Va. - Despite leading by two goals twice in the first half, the VMI lacrosse team was outscored 6-1 in the second half to allow visiting Bellarmine to escape with a 10-7 victory Saturday afternoon on Senior Day at Drill Field No. 2.
The Keydets (2-9, 0-6) pulled ahead 4-2 with five minutes before the half following goals by Austin Henry and Ryan Perouty, but the Knights (4-8, 2-4) recovered three minutes later with two quick goals to knot the score. Unfazed, Henry and Perouty scored again in the final moments to give VMI momentum with a 6-4 halftime lead. Junior John O'Donnell assisted the four goals and finished the game with five total assists, which ties for third in the VMI record book for assists in a single game. Teammate John Daniel last accomplished the feat at Hampton last season when he tallied five assists.
The game marked the final time seniors Wesley Sanders and Joe Riccadonna played at Drill Field No. 2. Sanders scored VMI's first goal of the game midway through the first quarter to tie the game at one apiece. The Austin, Texas, native was not able to register any more goals or assists for the remainder of the game but brought his career points tally to 99, one shy of joining 16 former Keydets that have reached the century mark in program history. He still has two more contests this season to achieve the milestone.
John Daniel also scored two goals for the Keydets in addition to an assist and team-high 10 shot attempts in the loss.
Ranked second in the country in caused turnovers, junior Kyle Walsh forced three on Saturday and also picked up nine groundballs. VMI goalie Bill Osteen recorded eight saves during the game.
The Keydets earned the advantage in multiple categories during the game including shots (34-29), groundballs (27-24) and faceoff wins (13-8).
Bellarmine was led by two goals apiece from scoring leader Brian Wall and James Whiteford while six others scored individual goals.
VMI returns to SoCon action next Saturday with a game at Jacksonville slated for a 1 p.m. faceoff in Jacksonville, Florida.
