LEXINGTON, Va. – With an exciting buzz in the air surrounding the program's 40th NCAA season and fresh off their best season in over a decade, the VMI lacrosse team revealed its 2023 schedule Wednesday afternoon.
 
James Purpura begins his third season at the helm as head coach of the Keydets. In each of his first two season, the Keydets have increased their win totals. Last year, the Keydets won multiple conference games for the first time since 2012 and qualified for the conference playoffs for the 2nd time in program history.
 
VMI's schedule vastly changes with it rejoining the MAAC conference. The 2023 campaign will see the Keydets play five games in the state of New York. The Keydets were previously a member of the MAAC from 2003-2014 where they qualified post season during the 2008 campaign. Manhattan College beat St. Bonaventure in the MAAC Final last year to qualify for the NCAA tournament.
 
The Keydets will scrimmage Jacksonville and North Carolina at Chapel Hill in exhibition play before returning back to Lexington for their home opener versus Detroit Mercy on February 4. VMI suffered a 16-11 setback vs Detroit-Mercy in 2022. The Keydets host seven games in Lexington and have eight road contests on its slate.
 
"I'm excited about our 2023 schedule as it provides quality opponents to prepare us for a very competitive MAAC conference," Purpura said. "Multiple opponents were ranked in the Top 20 or received votes at some point during the 2022 season and several played in conference playoffs and championship games. As a result of the conference change, we will get to play in some new venues and rekindle some old rivalries."
 
The Keydets begin MAAC play Saturday, March 11, on the road at Long Island and finish the campaign with an away game Saturday, April 22, at Marist. The 2023 MAAC Tournament begins Saturday, April 29.
 
 
2023 VMI Lacrosse Schedule
Saturday, Jan. 28               vs. Jacksonville                  12 p.m. (exhibition)
                                           at North Carolina                2 p.m. (exhibition)
Saturday, Feb. 4               DETROIT MERCY              12:00 PM                                            
Friday, Feb. 10                   at Queens                           4:00 PM                                              
Friday, Feb. 17                  HIGH POINT                       7:00 PM
Tuesday, Feb. 21              HAMPTON                          4:00 PM
Saturday, Feb. 25              at St. Bonaventure              12:00 PM            
Saturday, March 4            at Bellarmine                        12:00 PM                            
Saturday, March 11          at Long Island*                       11:00 AM           
Saturday, March 18        SIENA*                                  12:00 PM            
Saturday, March 25         at Sacred Heart*                     12:00 PM
Wednesday, March 29   MOUNT ST. MARY'S*           4:00 PM
Saturday, April 1              at Canisius*                           TBD       
Saturday, April 8             MANHATTAN*                     12:00 PM
Wednesday, April 12        at Wagner*                             TBD
Saturday, April 15           QUINNIPIAC*                       12:00 PM            
Saturday, April 22             at Marist*                              12:00 PM
 
MAAC TOURNAMENT   
Saturday, April 29                             MAAC 1ST Round
Thursday, May 4                               MAAC Semifinals
Saturday, May 6                                MAAC Championship
 
 
Home Games in ALL CAPS
*MAAC Contest (Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference)