bass-vs-mercer
Chuck Steenburgh/SportsPhotoGuy.com
10
Mercer MERCER 3-8, 0-1
13
Winner VMI VMI 3-7, 1-0
Mercer MERCER
3-8, 0-1
10
Final
13
VMI VMI
3-7, 1-0
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Mercer MERCER 1 2 2 5 10
VMI VMI 2 2 3 6 13

Game Recap: Lacrosse |

Keydets Earn First Conference Win in Eight Years

VMI's last league win came in the ASUN in 2014

Box Score

LEXINGTON, Va. - The VMI lacrosse team earned a monumental conference victory Saturday by taking down the Mercer Bears, 13-10, at Drill Field No. 2 to mark the Keydets' first Southern Conference win since rejoining the league in 2014-15.

The last league victory VMI (3-7, 1-0) earned came as members of the Atlantic Sun Conference on April 26, 2014, a 7-6 double-overtime victory over Richmond. The win was also significant in that it was VMI's first win over Mercer since 2012 and VMI's first win on Drill Field No. 2 since the 2019 season.

"I'm so proud of the men in our program," said VMI head coach James Purpura. "Today, they earned the result they got which was a history-making win. Our young team has had a lot of ups and downs through this learning process, but they never quit and just keep grinding. This was a total team effort.
 
"Today we played complementary lacrosse in all phases. Our face-off crew grinded out possessions, Jack Liselli was outstanding in the cage helping to solidify our team defense and we cleared the ball well. We were opportunistic on offense and our extra-man went 3 for 4. We still have a lot of work to do to keep improving but we're having fun doing it. We will remain humble and hungry and get back to being the best us as we prepare for further conference play."
 
Senior midfielder Josh Bass played an instrumental role in the victory by earning six points on four goals and two assists for the afternoon. AJ Stamos and Luke Mryncza both had a hat trick to aid VMI to victory while Michael Santos, Hartley Jordan and Luke Rusterucci were also credited with goals.
 
The Keydets outshot the Bears (3-8, 0-1) by a 55-41 count and won the faceoff battle by claiming 17 of the 27 total. Freshman Gabe Eichler won 16 of 22 faceoffs in the effort and Preston Lalicker went 1-2.

VMI took advantage of four Mercer penalties on the day by scoring on three of the four extra-man opportunities.
 
Sophomore goalie Jack Liselli came up huge for VMI with 19 saves in a complete game for his second individual victory of the season. Mercer's Colin Kelley earned 14 saves on the day.
 
Sean Goldsmith led the Bears with four goals and two assists while Taylor Dooley and Cole Leggett both logged two scores during the match.
 
The Keydets continue SoCon action next Friday night at High Point University. Faceoff is set for a 7 p.m. start in High Point, North Carolina.




 
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