huddle at iona
19
Winner VMI VMI 4-1
4
Iona ION 1-4
Winner
VMI VMI
4-1
19
Final
4
Iona ION
1-4
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
VMI VMI 8 5 3 3 19
Iona ION 2 2 0 0 4

Game Recap: Lacrosse |

Keydets top Iona in dominant victory

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. – The VMI lacrosse team made a return trip to the state of New York and again came away victorious as the Keydets earned a dominant 19-4 win over Iona College Saturday afternoon at Mazzella Field in New Rochelle, New York.
 
With the win, the Keydets (4-1) are off to their best start in 25 years as the last VMI team to open with a 4-1 start happened during the 2000 season.
 
Senior attackman Luke Rusterucci broke the VMI school record for assists as he now has 89 for his career following four helpers on the day. With five goals on the afternoon, he now has 195 career points (106 goals, 89 assists), passing Rob Worrell and Tim Nolan on the all-time list and is only 44 back from the all-time leader, Dave Hope. 
 
The NCAA's current leader in points, Rusterucci's nine points on the day ranks fourth most all-time for a single game in VMI's 42-year program history.


 
VMI Head Coach James Purpura
"I'm really proud of the guys finding a way to win on the road. I thought they were ready from the first whistle and gave us a great start. We played complementary lacrosse. We were paced on offense by our attack. All three of them had big days statistically and they were led by Luke Rusterucci, who continues to have a big senior campaign. It's so impressive what he's done here during his career and for him to break the school record for assists today is really special.
 
"Our midfielders did a good job of initiating the offense and had some assists and we were able to capitalize on our only extra-man opportunity. Defensively, I'm really proud of this group. Damian Levin and Adam Norris were strong in the cage for us when called upon. We created some turnovers and were able to push transition off it.
 
"Nate Golding had a career day with a hat trick and an assist. I thought James Boynewicz did a great job leading the defense and in the ride. We were just under 50 percent at the face off X, but had opportunities to pick up some more groundballs and we've continued to improve at that position. It will be nice to get back home and get back to work learning from the tape. We get some time to recharge after three games in seven days and I look forward to continuing this journey with this group."
 
Game Summary
*The Keydets jumped out to an 8-2 lead after the opening period and put in five more goals in the second to go into the halftime break with a 13-4 lead
*VMI's defense clamped down in the second half and did not allow another goal over the final 30 minutes while the offense put in six more goals
 
Key Stats
*Sophomore Dayton Bagwell contributed seven points on the day with six goals to go with an assist for seven combined points
*Austin English logged five points between four goals and an assist during the game, while Golding registered four points  on three goals and one helper
*Iona's four goals all came by separate players as Vincent Pititto, Max Monzo, Matthew Kyszkiewicz and Jimmy Kennedy all scored for the Gaels
*VMI's Joseph Weinburgh (8) and AJ Riley (3) won 11 of 25 faceoffs during the contest
* Keydet keeper Damian Levin earned the win with 12 saves throughout the game and was replaced by Adam Norris for the final five minutes, who tracked down two saves
* Gael keepers Denny Piekutowski and Noah Perea split 30 minutes apiece in the cage. Piekutowski allowed 13 goals in the first half while Perea allowed six in the second   
 
Up Next
The Keydets return to action Tuesday, March 4, with a home game against Queens University of Charlotte. The first faceoff is set for 4 p.m. at Drill Field #2.
 
 
 
 
 
 
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