CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Junior captain Cole Mooney scored twice Wednesday to lift the VMI men's soccer team to a 4-2 victory at Queens University of Charlotte on Dickson Field in non-conference play.
The four tallies are the most for the program against a D1 opponent since the 2012 campaign (a 4-3 win against UNC Asheville). The victory is the first road win against a Division I foe since the Keydets' bested UNC Asheville 1-0 in the 2014 season.
How it happened:
*After Queens scored a goal 41 seconds into the game, junior Grant Martin answered quickly on a feed from freshman Kyle Grant just 3:02 into the contest. Mooney converted on a penalty kick at 30:27 after the Royals were whistled for a red card in the box, but the Royals tied the game just before intermission.
*The Keydets controlled the action after the break, and opened a 3-2 lead early in the second half as Conner Reid headed in a Zacharia Bouchachia corner kick. Mooney converted on his second penalty kick at 67:03 and the VMI wasn't challenged late.
Inside the box score:
*VMI held a 14-8 edge in total shots, including an 8-1 mark in the second half. Mooney and Yeirin Mejia each had three shots; Martin and Freddy Ferguson each fired two
*The Keydets were awarded nine corner kicks to Queens' six
*Zack Murphy made two saves to earn his fourth win of the season
*Coming into the game, VMI had not scored a penalty kick goal this season in 16 matches
*Queens had won two of its last three games entering tonight's contest
Quotes from Head Coach Nick Regan:
"The players showed incredible character tonight. To go behind so quickly and react the way we did, it says a lot about the mindset of this team. They stuck to the game plan for 90 minutes and we got their reward. Five wins on the year is a huge step forward for this program, and we still have games to play. We will enjoy this one tonight and regroup for a big game this weekend. Rah Va Mil!"
Next Time:
VMI (5-12) wraps up the regular season Saturday at UNCG at 6 p.m. in a Southern Conference match.
