rusterucci-english-jones-yonas-team
Randall K. Wolf
8
Canisius CANISIUS 3-8, 1-4
12
Winner VMI VMI 6-5, 2-3
Canisius CANISIUS
3-8, 1-4
8
Final
12
VMI VMI
6-5, 2-3
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Canisius CANISIUS 1 0 4 3 8
VMI VMI 2 3 4 3 12

Game Recap: Lacrosse |

VMI holds strong to defeat Canisius

Gallery

LEXINGTON, Va. – Ahead 5-1 at the half, the VMI lacrosse team struck down a third-quarter rally by visiting Canisius to match the Griffins goal-for-goal in the second half to ultimately earn a 12-8 victory on a sunny Saturday afternoon at Drill Field #2.
 
The tally marks the second straight conference victory by a 12-8 score as VMI improves to 6-5 overall and 2-3 in MAAC play while Canisius falls to 3-8 overall and 1-4 in conference. VMI continues its best start in 24 years (2000 season) and has registered its most Division I wins to this point of the season (11 games) since the 1995 campaign. The win also marks VMI's most Division I wins in program history before the end of March.
 
Noteworthy
Luke Rusterucci earned his sixth hat trick of the year and fourth game in a row as he logged three in the win. He has now hit 30 goals in back-to-back seasons, the first Keydet to do so since Matt Gallienne in 1999-2000.
 
VMI Head Coach James Purpura
"I'm incredibly proud of this group for finishing spring break with a big conference win at home. We came out again and set the tone on the defensive end only giving up one goal in the first half. I thought we played great and settled defense. Our defensive group added some big goals in transition. Adam Norris anchored the unit and made some big saves for us. Offensively, we continued to be spread out and had a lot of guys step up. We shot the ball better in the second half and were able to stop the momentum when Canisius went on a three-goal run in the third.

"We scored some big momentum goals down the stretch to secure the win. We didn't have our best game at the face off X, but I was impressed with Jack Rogers who won some big face offs down the stretch to gain a few possessions late in the game. Our goal will always be to keep getting better every day. We will watch the tape, make corrections and look to get back to a full week of practice to prepare for a strong opponent in Manhattan this week on the road."
 
Game Summary
VMI raced to a 2-0 lead after goals from Nate Golding and Ty Yonas early in the opening period before Canisius scored at the 8:25 mark with a goal by Patrick Mitchell.
 
In the second period, VMI held the Griffins scoreless while putting up three goals from Luke Rusterucci and two by Cole Jones to go into the break with a 5-1 advantage.
 
Canisius outscored VMI early in the second half to trim VMI's lead to 6-5 with 4:53 to play in the third quarter, but the Keydets silenced the rally with three late goals by Rusterucci, Austin English and Jack Rogers to go into the final period with momentum ahead 9-5.
 
The Keydets and Griffins both put up three goals apiece in the final quarter as VMI protected its home turf with the 12-8 conference victory and second straight win over Canisius.
 
Inside the Box Score
*Among evenly matched teams, the game was close in several categories: slight 42-41 shots advantage by VMI, an equal 24 groundballs for both squads and both goalies were credited with 12 saves a piece
*Canisius won 15 of 24 faceoffs, but VMI held Canisius to 2-5 on extra-man opportunities and VMI had slightly fewer turnovers (17-22)
*VMI again had a stifling defense and caused the Griffins to run out the shot clock on four separate occasions during the contest
*Nate Golding earned his first career hat trick by putting up three goals on the day. Sophomore Cole Jones also logged a career high with two goals
*Canisius was led by Patrick Mitchell, who scored three goals of his own. Mason Wolford ranked second on the team with two goals
*Canisius goalie Tommy Kunz falls to 3-8 individually despite 12 saves while VMI's Adam Norris improves to 6-5 after tracking down 12 saves
 
Next up
VMI will make the long trip to Manhattan College to face the Jaspers next Saturday, April 6. Opening faceoff is set for an early 11 a.m. start in Riverdale, New York.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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