LEXINGTON, Va. – VMI Men's Soccer begins the week with a bout against Warren Wilson on Monday at 2 p.m. at Patchin Field.
 
The Keydets look to go 2-0 to start the 2024 campaign, a feat that has not been accomplished since 2005. Dating back to last season, VMI has won the last three matches at home against non-conference opponents.
 
Keys to the Keydets
Keydets Earn Season-Opening Dub. VMI took down Emory & Henry, 4-2, on Thursday to secure the win in the first match of 2024.
 
Welcome to VMI, Anthony Huang. The freshman forward nabbed the game-winning goal along with a pair of assists in his first collegiate outing.
 
Sharing is Caring. Four different Keydets (Anthony Huang, Cole Mooney, Grant Martin, and Woongchan Oh) recorded a goal while six different players earned an assist in Thursday's victory.
 
Aiming for History. VMI has not won back-to-back games to open a season since 2005. With a win, it would be the first time both VMI men's and women's soccer teams started a season 2-0.
 
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 Owls
- This will be Warren Wilson's second match of the season.
- WWC is a member of NCAA Division III and represents the Coast to Coast Conference.
- The Owls' roster will consist of one senior, four juniors, six sophomores, and eight freshmen.
- WWC Head Coach Manuel Perez is fresh into the role, serving in his first season at the helm.
- In 2023, the Owls went 0-14 with a goal differential of -51.
- WWC was ranked 24th in NCAA D-III in saves per game with seven.
- Owls were tied for first in the country in successful penalty kicks with a perfect 100% rate.
- WWC accumulated 11 goals off 87 shots with 42 on goal.
- Owls like to play aggressively as they were ranked number two in the nation with over three fouls per game.
- John Rhoden will be the key returner for the Owls after earning one goal and three points off 12 shots last season.
 
For more information, visit VMIKeydets.com or follow us on social media at VMI Athletics.