Box Score

BIRMINGHAM, Mich. – Despite jumping to a 9-4 lead after the first quarter, the VMI lacrosse team was unable to sustain momentum as host Detroit Mercy rallied to score 12 goals quarters and allowed just two more VMI scores en route to a 16-11 win over VMI Saturday afternoon at Seaholm High School in Birmingham, Michigan.
 
With the loss, VMI drops to 2-4 on the season while the Titans won for the first time this season to improve to 1-4.
 
Scout Ripley put VMI on the board first with an unassisted goal 30 seconds into the game and Michael Santos notched another at the 10:52 mark. Detroit Mercy countered with a goal a few seconds later as Brett Erskine penetrated the VMI defense for the Titans' first score.
 
The Keydets then went on a 7-0 run over the ensuing six minutes of the opening period with offensive outburst as Aidan Riley, Luke Rusterucci (twice), Hartley Jordan, Thomas Williamson and AJ Stamos put in seven unanswered goals to give the Keydets a commanding 9-1 advantage at the 3:58 mark of the first quarter.
 
"Today's part of the learning process for the team," said VMI head coach James Purpura. "We came out and had success early but weren't able to stop their growing momentum throughout the game. We turned the ball over too many times and allowed Detroit to get back in it. We didn't play complimentary lacrosse and credit to Detroit, they never stopped battling and found a way to win it in the fourth quarter. We will continue to learn and I look forward to getting back on the practice field tomorrow."
 
The Titans responded with three goals over the final three minutes of the period to slow the bleeding and give Detroit Mercy momentum the remainder of the match. Detroit added two more goals early in the second quarter before Scout Ripley scored again for VMI to make the score 10-6 in favor of the Keydets with 4:10 to play before the half. VMI eventually went into the break with an 11-8 advantage after a goal by Luke Mryncza and two more for Detroit.
 
Detroit Mercy went on to score eight goals throughout the second half while limiting VMI's scoring opportunities and held the Keydets scoreless over the final two quarters of play.
 
Erskine went on to score six goals for the Titans while Ryan Birney had four and Luke Majick contributed two for Detroit.
 
The Keydets stay on the road for the next few days as they travel to face Monmouth University Tuesday afternoon. Faceoff is slated for a 1 p.m. start in West Long Branch, New Jersey.