LEXINGTON, Va. – VMI Men's Soccer kicks off the 2025 campaign on Thursday at Drill Field #2 against Canisius.
The Keydets continue to improve each season, with the bar set even higher this year with key returners and fresh faces. Standing in the way is the Golden Griffins, who were one seed shy of the MAAC Tournament last year and return a plethora of talent.
Keys to the Keydets
Keydets On the Rise. VMI continues to move upward each season, earning five or more wins in back-to-back seasons since 2004-05.
D-I Success. VMI recorded three straight results against an NCAA Division I program for the first time since 2010. The Keydets also posted a result against the same D-I opponent (Radford) in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2013-14.
Rebuild & Regroup. The Keydets lost 10 seniors after 2024, but gained a strong 11-man class, including one D-I transfer.
Strong Start. VMI is searching for a win in the season- and home-opener, just like last season. If the Keydets secure a victory, it would be the first time since 2006-07 that VMI has earned home-opening wins in back-to-back seasons and the first time since 2004-05 the Keydets earned back-to-back season-opening victories.
Home Field Advantage. Last season, the Keydets became 4-0 at home for the first time since 1994 and the first time the Keydets have ever started a season 4-0 at home. At the time, VMI also recorded a result in four straight matches for the first time since 2007.
Goalkeeper Goals. VMI conceded the fewest goals in a regular season since 1990. Keydet goalkeepers combined for four shutouts, the most in 17 years, and helped lead to the highest win percentage in 16 seasons.
Division I Rankings. By the end of the 2024 season, VMI was ranked 12th in saves per game with over five and 24th in shots per game with nearly 15 among all D-I schools. The Keydets ranked number one in saves per game in the conference.
Life Saver. Zack Murphy was key between the posts, ranking fifth in total saves with 85 and seventh in saves per game with five in the nation. Both stats were first in the SoCon. He also collected one clean sheet and two combined shutouts.
Key Returners. Eight of VMI's 12 goal scorers from last season have passed, but
Jesse Lee returns, who had the second-most goals in 2024 with four and produced four assists. Also returning are
Colin Blandford,
Timofey Dovgalyuk, and
Conner Reid, who combined for over 3,500 minutes.
Stat Keeping. The Keydets collected 25 goals off 261 shots, with 100 on-goal, including 27 assists.
Year 4. Head Coach
Nick Regan returns for his fourth season at the helm. Regan has collected 12 victories, ranking fourth all-time and just two wins shy of third.
Roster By Class. VMI will welcome back 17 members from the 2024 roster and introduce 11 newcomers to this season's roster. The Keydets have seven seniors, seven juniors, three sophomores, and 11 freshmen.
Oh Captain, My Captain. VMI's captains are
Zack Murphy,
Colin Blandford, and
Timofey Dovgalyuk. Blandford returns as captain for the second-straight season.
2025 Schedule. The Keydets, who will play a 17-game slate, have nine home matches and eight road matches, including contests against future SoCon member, Liberty, and Big East affiliate, Villanova.
Scouting the Golden Griffins
- Canisius ended the 2024 campaign 4-8-4 with a 2-3-3 conference record.
- Golden Griffins were 0-6-2 on the road, tying their last two matches.
- Canisius earned a notable victory over Mount St. Mary's, who made the MAAC Tournament.
- Griffins ranked first in the MAAC and 15th nationally with 15 fouls per game.
- Canisius ranked 14th in shot accuracy and 54th in shots on goal per game.
- Griffins have one graduate student, five seniors, 10 juniors, five sophomores, and eight freshmen on the roster.
- Canisius returns seven goal scorers last season, but lost their top three, who combined for 12 goals.
- Mason Petrucci led last year's program with five assists.
- AJ Zarcone played nearly 1,400 minutes last season.
- Griffins recruited a fresh set of goalkeepers, all three making their debut with Canisius.
- Head Coach Michael Tanke was named the 15th coach in program history in 2022.
Series History
- VMI is 0-2 against Canisius.
- First meeting was in 2017, when the Griffins scored a 5-0 win.
- Last season, the two teams battled in Buffalo, New York, which ended with a 2-0 win for Canisius.
- This will be the first matchup in Lexington.
For more information, visit VMIKeydets.com or follow us on social media at VMI Athletics.
