LEXINGTON, Va. – VMI Men's Soccer will kick off the 2024 campaign with a battle against Emory & Henry on Thursday at 1 p.m. at Patchin Field.
 
The Keydets welcome the Wasps to the pitch for the first time in program history and are looking to start the season with a victory in front of the VMI Corps who will be in attendance for Thursday's contest.
 
Keys to the Keydets
2024 Season in a Glance. VMI will face eight non-conference NCAA Division I opponents along with five SoCon matchups before the conference tournament in November.
 
2023 Recap. VMI finished last season with five wins, the most in 17 years, including two NCAA Division I victories.
 
NCAA D-I Success. The Keydets accomplished many feats last season against D-I opponents by earning their first D-I win since 2014 and most D-I victories and goals since 2013.
 
Attacking Threat. VMI scored 27 goals last season, marking the most in 17 years, and was ranked in the top 50 nationally in shot accuracy.
 
Between the Posts. Keydet goalkeepers improved their game in 2023, allowing the least amount of goals per game in 14 seasons, and had three shutouts, the most in 15 years. VMI also was top 50 in saves per game in the country.
 
Awards Galore. Cole Mooney and Kyle Grant each earned All-SoCon Postseason honors with Mooney earning second-team and Grant capturing All-Freshman. The Keydets also had two Player of the Week honors.
 
New Faces. VMI brings seven newcomers to the roster including six freshmen and one NCAA D-I transfer.
 
Oh Captains, My Captains. The 2024 VMI Team Captains are Cole Mooney, Drew Menges, and Colin Blandford.
 
Murphy Minutes. Zack Murphy played and started in 18 matches in 2023, racking up 67 saves and four victories. Comparatively against the nation, Murphy stood 28th in saves and 43rd in
minutes played.
 
Breaking Out. Kyle Grant enters his second season after a successful freshman campaign, earning a team-high five goals and 14 points. Grant also ranked in the top 50 in the nation and number one in the SoCon with two game-winning goals.
 
Shoot for the Moon(ey). Cole Mooney looks to lead the Keydets to another strong season after earning six assists in 2023, the fifth-most in a single season in VMI history.
 
Scouting the Wasps
- E&H joined NCAA Division II and South Atlantic Conference on July 1, 2024, after spending time at Division III.
- The Wasps' roster will consist of 12 seniors, six juniors, 11 sophomores, and three freshmen.
- E&H's Head Coach, Didier Grillet, enters his fourth season as head coach and seventh overall. Grillet is an E&H alumni from 2018.
- In 2023, the Wasps went 0-15 and 0-11 in conference action, accumulating six goals off 96 shots with 36 on goal.
- Josiah Garrett led the team with two goals and four points.
- The goalie position has been led by committee as Jimmy Duquette tallied 35 saves while Ty Catron and Josiah Wilson each recorded 34 saves.
 
For more information, visit VMIKeydets.com or follow us on social media at VMI Athletics.