duffy vs. queens
Caitria Catania
7
Queens (N.C.) QUEENS 2-4, 0-0
20
Winner VMI VMI 5-1, 0-0
Queens (N.C.) QUEENS
2-4, 0-0
7
Final
20
VMI VMI
5-1, 0-0
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Queens (N.C.) QUEENS 3 1 0 3 7
VMI VMI 6 5 5 4 20

Game Recap: Lacrosse |

VMI takes down Queens by 20-7 count

At 5-1, VMI is off to its best start in 33 years since the 1992 season

LEXINGTON, Va. – The VMI lacrosse team jumped to a 5-1 lead late in the opening period and never looked back as the Keydets earned a dominant 20-7 victory over visiting Queens University Tuesday afternoon at Drill Field No. 2.
 
With the win, VMI continues its best start in 33 years (1992) with a 5-1 overall record while the Royals fall to 2-4 on the season. VMI senior Luke Rusterucci hit the 200-point benchmark, only the second Keydet in program history to achieve the feat.
 
Through the first month of the season, VMI is the No. 1 scoring offense in the nation averaging 18.5 goals per game.



 
Game Summary
Just three minutes into the game, VMI sophomore Dayton Bagwell had already notched a pair of goals and Wil Duffy added another before Queens' Ryan McDaniel cut the deficit to 3-1 with a Royal goal at the 9:58 mark. Duffy then scored two more goals to earn a hat trick in the first quarter as the Keydets raced out to a 6-3 lead going into the second quarter. 
 
VMI clamped down on defense in the second quarter and allowed just one goal late after scoring five of its own goals, including two by the NCAA's leading scorer, Luke Rusterucci, one by English and another by sophomore Jack Duncan-Bloom.
 
The Keydets showed up to play in the third period and again notched five goals while allowing zero on the other end. VMI senior goalie Damian Levin would go on to earn 12 saves during the game before he was replaced by junior Adam Norris late in regulation.
 
Queens put up a few goals in the final stanza but the damage was done as VMI tacked on another four goals to en route to the 20-7 non-conference victory.



VMI Head Coach James Purpura
"I'm just so proud of this group. Right from the first whistle, they were ready and the offense got us started with some good possessions to build an early lead. We played complementary lacrosse. Offensively, there was great depth as we had five guys with hat tricks. Luke Rusterucci hit the 200 career point mark, which is a credit to him and the work he has put in. We shot the ball well and our extra-man offense did a good job going 60 percent.

"Defensively, I'm really proud of this group. They had another great effort and played smart, fast and physical. We scored some transition goals after defensive stops and our goalies played well. We cleared the ball well to secure possessions on the offensive end. We battled at the face off X and Joseph Weinburgh scored his first career goal. We will get back to work tomorrow, review the tape and start preparing for a quick turnaround against a strong opponent."
 
Key Stats
*VMI outshot the Royals by a 48-37 count and won the groundball battle by a slim 26-24 margin
*The Keydets were successful on 21 off 22 clearing attempts and limited Queens to convert 15 of 19 attempts
*Queens had men in the penalty box with regularity during the contest and VMI was able to convert three of five extra-man opportunities
*Five Keydets ended up with a hat trick, including Duffy, English, Rusterucci, Ty Yonas and Bagwell
*Joseph Weinburgh scored his first career goal as a Keydet
*Brooks Stankavage and Ryan McDaniel led the Royals with two goals apiece
 
Up Next
The Keydets travel to West Long Branch, New Jersey, this Saturday for an 10 a.m. face-off with Monmouth University
 
 
 
 
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