VMI Lacrosse faces Mercyhurst at home
Brian McWalters | RoadWin Photos

Lacrosse

VMI faces Mercyhurst at home

LEXINGTON, Va. – Taking on a second straight league opponent at home, the VMI lacrosse team will host Northeast Conference foe Mercyhurst University for a 12 p.m. face-off at Drill Field No. 2 Saturday afternoon.
 
Broadcast Information
Watch on ESPN+   |   Live Stats
 
The Keydets (6-2, 0-1) look to bounce back from a close 10-9 loss at home last week to Le Moyne College.
 
VMI continues to be one of the top scoring teams in the country ranking first in scoring offense at 16.25 goals per game but is also strong on the defensive end ranking seventh in the NCAA in scoring defense at 8.12 goals allowed per game.
 
The offense is spurred by Luke Rusterucci and Dayton Bagwell, who are tied for fifth in the nation in goals per game at 3.50. Midfielder Austin English ranks 21st in the NCAA in shot percentage (.455) as he has scored 25 goals on 55 shot attempts on the year. Rusterucci is fifth in the country in points per game (5.88) with 47 points on the season (28 goals, 19 assists) and is ranked among the top passers averaging 2.38 assists per game, 12th best in the NCAA.
 
Senior goalkeeper Damian Levin ranks sixth in the nation in saves per game at 13.62 and ninth overall in goals-against average at 8.37.
 
About Mercyhurst (1.6, 0-1)
The Lakers look to pick up their second win of the season and first NEC victory of the year when they visit Lexington this weekend.  Mercyhurst is coming off a close 15-12 loss in its league opener at home last weekend to LIU to open conference play.
 
The week prior, the Lakers took a loss on the road at #13 Richmond after defeating Hampton in dominant fashion, 22-6, their sole victory on the year. Mercyhurst opened the season with losses to Bellarmine and UMass Lowell before coming up short in close losses to Queens and St. Bonaventure.
 
Ethan Landymore leads the team with 18 goals on the season and tied for the team-high in points with 20 thus far.  Ryan Mahoney has 20 points on 13 goals and seven assists, while Jeremi Phoenix-Lefebvre has 10 goals to go with a team-high nine helpers.
 
Brenton Paladino is the top defender with 10 caused turnovers on the season. Goalie Tyler Moritzen has played all but 45 minutes on the season, allowing 85 goals for a 13.61 goals-against average in addition to 76 saves (.472 save percentage).
 
Tailgating Information
There are two parking lots between the baseball stadium and the lacrosse field on North Post. The one on the left is nearest the Paulette Hall locker rooms and is designated as the VMI tailgating area after the game. The lot on the right nearest the large retaining wall/lacrosse field is the designated tailgating area for the visiting team. Cars must be parked in designated parking stalls – ticketing will be enforced by VMI Police. Another option is to use the pavilion at nearby Jordan's Point Park which can be reserved through the City of Lexington.
 





 
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Players Mentioned

Dayton Bagwell

#55 Dayton Bagwell

A/M
6' 0"
Sophomore
Austin English

#7 Austin English

M
6' 0"
Junior
Damian Levin

#44 Damian Levin

GK
5' 10"
Senior
Luke Rusterucci

#8 Luke Rusterucci

A
6' 0"
Senior

Players Mentioned

Dayton Bagwell

#55 Dayton Bagwell

6' 0"
Sophomore
A/M
Austin English

#7 Austin English

6' 0"
Junior
M
Damian Levin

#44 Damian Levin

5' 10"
Senior
GK
Luke Rusterucci

#8 Luke Rusterucci

6' 0"
Senior
A