english, moore vs high point
Randall K. Wolf

Lacrosse

VMI Lacrosse to face a familiar foe in Mercer

LEXINGTON, Va. – The VMI lacrosse team will rekindle an old friendship and familiar name Saturday afternoon when the Keydets clash with former Southern Conference colleague Mercer University in Macon, Georgia.
 
The opening face-off is slated for a 12 p.m. start at Five Star Stadium. The game will not be live-streamed, but a live stats link is provided below.
 
The two schools shared membership in the Atlantic Sun (2014) and SoCon from 2015-22 until the SoCon disbanded men's lacrosse that year. VMI found a two-year temporary home with the MAAC while Mercer rejoined the Atlantic Sun Conference.
 
Broadcast Information
Live Stats
 
About Mercer (1-1)
After playing two road games to open the 2025 season, the Bears will be playing at home for the first time this year when they face the Keydets. The Bears opened the season with a dominant 23-3 win at Hampton back on Feb. 1 before taking a 16-6 loss at the hands of Marist College last Saturday in Poughkeepsie, New York.
 
Will Zylstra and Dillon Bush lead the team in goals with six apiece after two games with Ben Jose close behind with three. Michael Frederick is the key distributor on offense as he has logged three assists thus far to go with two goals for a combined five points. He also ranks third on the team in shot attempts with 15 on the season.
 
Defender Thomas Venzie leads the squad in caused turnover with four on the year, while goalie Rand Paddack has played all but 17 minutes in the cage as he has tallied 17 saves on 61 shot attempts for a .472 save percentage.
 
Last Time vs. Mercer – VMI 13, Mercer 10 – April 2, 2022
The VMI lacrosse team earned a monumental conference victory over the Bears back on April 2, 2022, by taking down Mercer, 13-10, at Drill Field No. 2 to mark the Keydets' first Southern Conference win since rejoining the league in 2014-15.

The last league victory VMI earned came as members of the Atlantic Sun Conference on April 26, 2014, a 7-6 double-overtime victory over Richmond. The win was also significant in that it was VMI's first win over Mercer since 2012 and VMI's first win on Drill Field No. 2 since the 2019 season.
 
Last Time Out: High Point 12, VMI 11 (OT) – Saturday, Feb. 8 – Lexington, Va.
The VMI lacrosse team jumped ahead to a 7-0 lead in the opening period but could not sustain the lead as visiting High Point came from behind to earn a 12-11 win in overtime over the Keydets Saturday afternoon at Drill Field #2.
 
Six different Keydets scored the seven goals over the opening 12 minutes as the Keydets (1-1) took the Panthers (1-1) by surprise to begin the game. VMI's Austin English struck first at the 12:19 mark and was followed by goals from Wil Duffy (twice), Simon Moore, Matt Nichols, Luke Rusterucci and Dayton Bagwell.
 
The teams went blow-for-blow in the third period as the Panthers put in four goals to VMI's three. High Point clamped down on defense in the final period and did not allow a VMI goal while putting in three scores, including the game-tying goal with 47 seconds remaining by Collin Rovere.
 
With 1:34 left on the clock, High Point's Owen Bunten scored the game-winning sudden death goal for the visitors to complete the come-from-behind win.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Players Mentioned

Dayton Bagwell

#55 Dayton Bagwell

A/M
6' 0"
Sophomore
Wil Duffy

#6 Wil Duffy

A/M
6' 3"
Senior
Austin English

#7 Austin English

M
6' 0"
Junior
Simon Moore

#24 Simon Moore

M
6' 0"
Senior
Matt Nichols

#16 Matt Nichols

A/M
5' 10"
Sophomore
Luke Rusterucci

#8 Luke Rusterucci

A
6' 0"
Senior

Players Mentioned

Dayton Bagwell

#55 Dayton Bagwell

6' 0"
Sophomore
A/M
Wil Duffy

#6 Wil Duffy

6' 3"
Senior
A/M
Austin English

#7 Austin English

6' 0"
Junior
M
Simon Moore

#24 Simon Moore

6' 0"
Senior
M
Matt Nichols

#16 Matt Nichols

5' 10"
Sophomore
A/M
Luke Rusterucci

#8 Luke Rusterucci

6' 0"
Senior
A