helmet at high point
Andy Mead/YCJ
16
Winner Mercer MERCER 4-0, 0-0
12
VMI VMI 0-3, 0-0
Winner
Mercer MERCER
4-0, 0-0
16
Final
12
VMI VMI
0-3, 0-0
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Mercer MERCER 4 7 2 3 16
VMI VMI 6 0 2 4 12

Game Recap: Lacrosse |

VMI downed by Mercer in home opener

LEXINGTON, Va. - Despite leading 6-4 after the opening quarter, the VMI lacrosse team fell behind in the second quarter and ultimately could not recover as visiting Mercer University earned a 16-12 win over the Keydets Saturday afternoon at Drill Field 2 in VMI's 2026 home opener.
 
The Bears (3-0) scored seven unanswered goals in the second period to build an 11-6 advantage at the half. VMI (0-2) rallied in the second half and came within three goals midway through the fourth period but could not quite mount a full comeback.
 
Down 13-6 early in the third period, the Keydets' Ty Yonas, Jack Duncan-Bloom and Dayton Bagwell scored consecutive goals to cut the deficit to 13-9 to open the fourth quarter. After a Dillon Bush goal for Mercer, Bagwell and Yonas struck again to make the score 14-11 with 7:16 remaining in the game.
 
Despite a late goal by VMI senior faceoff specialist Jack Rogers in the final minutes, the Bears hung on for the non-conference win over its fellow former SoCon companion.
 
Key Stats
* Rogers was dominant at the Faceoff X where he won 21 of 32 faceoffs during the game
* Both teams finished 18-22 in clearing opportunities
* Turnovers proved costly for VMI with 20 during the game to only 12 for Mercer
 
Up Next
The Keydets face a quick turnaround as they head to the Naval Academy to face the Midshipmen Tuesday night at 6 p.m. in Annapolis, Maryland
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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