team - nec preseason poll

Lacrosse

VMI Lacrosse picked fourth in NEC preseason poll

BRIDGEWATER TOWNSHIP, N.J. – Heading into its first season competing as a member of the Northeast Conference (NEC), the VMI lacrosse team has been picked to finish fourth as announced by the conference office Wednesday morning.
 
The poll is based on a vote by the league's eight head coaches.
 
VMI received enough votes to be selected to place fourth, including one first-place vote.
 
Robert Morris is the preseason favorite with Cleveland State and LIU close behind in second and third, respectively. Behind VMI, Le Moyne was tabbed fifth, Detroit Mercy sixth, Mercyhurst seventh and Wagner arrived in eighth.
 
Men's Lacrosse
1. Robert Morris (3)
2. Cleveland St. (2)
3. LIU (2)
4. VMI (1)
5. Le Moyne
6. Detroit Mercy
7. Mercyhurst
8. Wagner
 
 
VMI enters year number five under head coach James Purpura, who has elevated the program with each succeeding year.
 
The Keydets earned seven wins in 2024 – the most since the 2005 season – as VMI has increased its win totals every season of the Purpura tenure. VMI had one win in 2021, four in 2022, six in 2023 and seven from this season as the program continues to rise, one of only two programs in the country to see an increase in wins over four consecutive seasons. VMI narrowly missed out on qualifying for the MAAC Tournament as the Keydets were battling for the final spot up until the season finale.
 
VMI also tied for its most Division I wins for a single season since the 1995 campaign in its 41-year program history. Purpura now owns the program's highest Division I winning percentage in program history, and VMI's 13 total wins over the past two seasons marks its best stretch in 24 years.
 
With an impressive offense featuring multiple-year starters on the attack line and midfield, VMI scored 183 goals for the year, the second most in program history for a single season. The Keydets finished fourth in the nation in riding and sixth overall in clearing percentage.
 
VMI was led by junior attackman Luke Rusterucci, who owns the seventh-longest scoring streak in the nation at 33 consecutive games. He totaled 33 points in conference games in 2024, second most in program history for a single season. He has now hit 30 goals in back-to-back seasons, the first Keydet to do so since Matt Gallienne in 1999-2000. Earlier this season, he joined VMI's prestigious 70-Goal Club and 100-Point Club, both of which only a select number of Keydets have attained in program history. He was named First Team All-MAAC at the conclusion of the season.
 
Senior Alex Baber was named a Second Team All-MAAC honoree as a long stick midfielder after totaling 37 groundballs for the season, including a season-best five versus Marist in the season finale. 








 
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Players Mentioned

Alex Baber

#3 Alex Baber

LSM
6' 2"
Sophomore
Luke Rusterucci

#8 Luke Rusterucci

A
6' 0"
Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Alex Baber

#3 Alex Baber

6' 2"
Sophomore
LSM
Luke Rusterucci

#8 Luke Rusterucci

6' 0"
Sophomore
A