LEXINGTON, Va. – The VMI men's soccer team opens it 2021 season Thursday with a non-conference road game at George Washington University at 1 p.m. on the GW soccer Field.

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The two teams have only met six times in the all-time rivalry dating back to 1991, and have split the last two games. GW won in Washington, D.C. 4-0 in 2013 while the Keydets scored a 3-1 win in 2012 on Patchin Field.

VMI is coming off important scrimmages at Mary Baldwin and Washington & Lee Universities Sunday and Monday, gaining valuable in-game experience. The young Keydet squad under second-year head coach Max Watson has 16 freshmen and six sophomores on the 30-man roster.

Three of the veterans will serve as captains for the 2021 campaign, senior goalie Broden Schull, senior midfielder Logan Pheng and junior midfielder Nathan Lam. Schull led the NCAA in saves (82) and saves per game (7.45) this spring. Lam led the team with three goals last season, including the game-winner against Marymount University with just over three minutes left to play.  

The Colonials finished the 2021 spring season 5-3-2, falling 2-0 in the Atlantic 10 Tournament finals to Fordham University.

VMI heads to Longwood University in Farmville, Va. Tuesday for another non-conference game at 6 p.m.