jordan, mryncza vs. siena
Randall K. Wolf
11
Winner VMI VMI 5-6, 2-3 MAAC
10
Canisius CAN 2-9, 1-4 MAAC
Winner
VMI VMI
5-6, 2-3 MAAC
11
Final
10
Canisius CAN
2-9, 1-4 MAAC
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 OT F
VMI VMI 4 4 1 1 1 11
Canisius CAN 4 4 1 1 0 10

Game Recap: Lacrosse |

VMI Wins OT Thriller over Canisius, 11-10

Box Score
 
BUFFALO, N.Y. - Taking the lead back and forth the entire game, the VMI lacrosse team outlasted host Canisius College in overtime as senior attackman Hartley Jordan earned the game-winning goal in the extra period to send VMI home with an 11-10 win Saturday afternoon in Buffalo, New York.

The big win reached new milestones for the VMI lacrosse program as the Keydets earned their first conference road victory since 2012 (MAAC/A-Sun/SoCon), their first win over Canisius since 2009 to break a string of six straight losses, and logged just its third win over the Golden Griffins in 17 all-time contests. 



With five wins on the season, VMI (5-6, 2-3) has now earned its greatest number of victories since the 2008 season when the Keydets claimed six wins.
 
VMI built a quick 3-0 lead in the opening period, but the two squads battled to a 4-4 tie by the end of the quarter. The Keydets and Griffs again equaled tallies in the second quarter with four goals apiece to go into the break knotted up at 8-8. The second half proved to be a defensive showing as both teams could muster only one goal each in the third and fourth quarters to end regulation tied at 10-all.
 
The Keydets maintained possession for much of the overtime period and converted a goal at the 2:57 mark when AJ Stamos passed the ball to Jordan, who took an open shot that got underneath the reach of Griff goalie Tommy Kunz to send VMI home with the big conference victory,
 
Key Stats
*Sophomore attack Wil Duffy earned his first career hat trick with three goals on the day. Stamos and Jordan finished with two apiece, while Simon Moore, Kyle Webster, Luke Rusterucci and Nate Golding all had one
*Rusterucci finished with three assists on the day with Chris Golini, Moore and Stamos all logging one helper
*VMI freshman goalie Adam Norris saved the day for VMI with 14 saves, including two in the final moments of regulation to force overtime
*Collin Kelly led Canisius with five goals during the contest while Keegan Kozack finished with three
*A close battle throughout, VMI took 38 shots to the Griffs' 37 and logged 42 groundballs to Canisius' 40. The Griffs won the faceoff battle by a slim 14-10 margin



VMI Head Coach James Purpura
"I'm so incredibly proud of our guys. What a great game that was back and forth. A really fun game. Credit to Canisius - they're a strong team and well-coached. We had to play a great game to win. I thought we came out, shared the ball and capitalized early as an offense. Our defense really responded well in the second half led by our freshman goalie Adam Norris and, although we lost the overall face off battle, we won the most important one to start the overtime with a gutsy ground ball from freshman Jack Rogers. 

"What a week makes. This win was special. Our young guys have had ups and downs all year and faced adversity, but they never say die and just keep coming back hungrier to improve and learn. It's a lot of fun and it makes showing up each day just so enjoyable. I'm proud of our guys for continuing to make positive history. It's something they will remember the rest of their lives. 

"We will head back to Lexington and enjoy the win but start preparing for another strong conference test at home next week."

Up Next
VMI returns home to face Manhattan College next Saturday, April 8 at noon for another MAAC battle on Drill Field #2.






 
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