LEXINGTON, Va. – VMI Men's Soccer is set to face future Southern Conference foe, Liberty, on Thursday at Patchin Field.
After playing their first two matches on Drill Field #2, the Keydets (1-2-1) are ready to make a glorious return to Patchin Field and renew an in-state rivalry against the Flames, who are becoming affiliate members of the SoCon starting in 2026.
Keys to the Keydets
Slow Start Haunts Keydets. VMI dropped its road match against Presbyterian, 4-1. Despite the Keydets' offense picking up in the second frame, the Blue Hose pulled away with four goals.
Goal Scorer. Scoring the lone goal for VMI was
Arnold Rutkauskas, playing a beautiful corner kick from
Jesse Lee.
Young Keydets. In the 6-0 victory over Warren Wilson, all six goals were scored by freshmen.
Rowen Choi and
Jack Yough each tallied two goals.
Racking Minutes. Zack Murphy ranks 50th nationally with 315 goalie minutes played. He now sits fifth in program history with nearly 3,400 minutes played.
Stat Leaders. Rowen Choi and
Jack Yough lead the team with two goals apiece, ranking in the top 50 nationally, while Choi leads the program with five points.
Sam Dowdy has dished out a team-leading two assists, which ranks 32nd in D-I.
National Ranks. VMI ranks in the top 25 in goals and points, while ranking first in the
SoCon in corner kicks per game. The Keydets are also in the top 50 nationally in points per game, assists per game, assists, and scoring offense.
Year 4. Head Coach
Nick Regan returns for his fourth season at the helm. Regan has collected 13 victories, ranking third all-time.
Scouting the Flames
- Liberty enters the match 2-0-1 after defeating Regent and USC Upstate, along with tying with Radford.
- The Flames have outscored their opponents, 13-2.
- Lucas Kelly leads the team with three goals, while Sam Farner sits right behind with two goals and a team-leading two assists.
- Tyler Beck has started between the posts in all three matches, earning seven saves.
- Liberty ranks in the top 25 in goals and goal differential.
- Head Coach Kelly Findley took over the Liberty men's soccer program in 2019.
Series History
- VMI is 2-13-2 against Liberty.
- Last meeting against the Flames was in 2022 (L, 4-0).
- VMI will be playing against Liberty on Patchin Field for the first time since 2018.
- The Keydets are searching for their first win over the Flames since 2013.
For more information, visit VMIKeydets.com or follow us on social media at VMI Athletics.
