rusterucci vs. queens
Brian McWalters | RoadWin Photos
9
VMI VMI 1-2
19
Winner High Point Panthers HPUM 2-1
VMI VMI
1-2
9
Final
19
High Point Panthers HPUM
2-1
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
VMI VMI 1 1 3 4 9
High Point Panthers HPUM 6 2 6 5 19

Game Recap: Lacrosse |

Keydets fall to High Point on first road trip

Rusterucci joins VMI’s prestigious 100-Point Club with one goal, three assist effort

HIGH POINT, N.C. – The VMI lacrosse team fell to former SoCon rival High Point as the host Panthers took control early on to eventually win by a 19-9 score Friday night at Vert Stadium in High Point, North Carolina. 
 
The Panthers (2-1) grabbed a quick 6-1 advantage after the opening quarter led by Brayden Mayea, who scored four goals in the first period en route to eight total throughout the game.
 
The highlight for VMI came late in the third period when junior attack Luke Rusterucci scored a goal with 24 seconds remaining for his 100th career point at VMI, joining the program's exclusive 100-Point Club. He also registered four assists in the game and now has 104 career points as a Keydet – with almost two full seasons left to play – to top former VMI great Johnny Daniel for 16th place all-time in the VMI record book. He has also now scored in 21 straight games dating back to late in his freshman year. During last week's game versus Queens, he reached 50 assists for his career and is just the 11th player to do so in the program's 41-year history.
 
VMI (1-2) clamped down on defense in the second period to hold the Panthers to two goals. Down 8-2 at the break, the Keydets bounced back with seven second-half goals, including four in the final period. The Panthers remained steadfast, however, by scoring 11 second-half goals of their own, including another set of six in the third period.
 
VMI Head Coach James Purpura
"We didn't play our best game today, which ultimately led to the final result. Credit to High Point, there's a reason they have won conference championships and are receiving votes in the national Top 20. I felt like we made too many youthful mistakes against a veteran group and they certainly capitalized. The efficiency margins were not too far separated, but they just dominated the possession battle by the discrepancy at the face off X and ground balls. Offensively, we hit a lot of pipes and if a few more of those go in, in the second and third quarters we are able to gain back momentum and keep pace.
 
"I'm proud of Luke Rusterucci hitting the 100-Point Club and being etched into the VMI history books. He's only getting better and I'm excited to see what he still has ahead. Defensively, they capitalized on most of the mistakes we made. I thought Adam Norris was solid going over 50 percent and seeing a lot of shots. It's always good to play tough out-of-conference games to challenge us and allow us to improve as the season goes. We will certainly get back to work and start preparing for a mid-week game with a quick turnaround."
 
 
Inside the Box Score
*The Panthers totaled 54 shot attempts on the night, including 38 on frame
*High Point won the groundball battle, 45-30, including 14 in the first quarter, and earned 23 of 32 faceoff wins
*Charles Hunt and Simon Moore each logged a pair of goals for VMI to lead the offense. Scoring solo goals on the night were Wil Duffy, Rusterucci, Jack Duncan-Bloom, Nate Golding and Luke Mryncza
*After Mayea's eight goals, the Panthers were led by five goals from Jack VanOverbeke and two from Matt Lutzel
 
Up Next
VMI will be right back in the grind Tuesday afternoon when the Keydets face Hampton University for a 4 p.m. faceoff in Hampton, Virginia.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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