english at sbu 2025
Eric Jacobs

Lacrosse

VMI Lacrosse begins 2026 campaign at High Point

LEXINGTON, Va. – After having to delay the start of the 2026 season by a week due to poor weather conditions last weekend in Lexington, the VMI lacrosse team will begin the year on the road with a matchup against High Point Saturday.
 
The first face-off is scheduled for 12 p.m. at Vert Stadium in High Point, North Carolina.
 
Broadcast Information
Watch on ESPN+ | Live Stats
 
The game marks the season opener for both squads as High Point also had its opener at Navy canceled out of an abundance of caution due to the weather.  It is also the official debut for first-year Head Coach Taylor Mendoza.
 
All-Time Series: High Point leads, 11-0
The Keydets look to pick up their first ever win against the Panthers
 
Last year versus High Point
The Panthers escaped with a 12-11 overtime victory over the Keydets in Lexington a year ago on February 8, 2025. VMI jumped ahead to a 7-0 lead in the first quarter but the Panthers made adjustments to only allow four goals the rest of the way and gradually came from behind to knock off the Keydets on Drill Field 2.
 
About the Panthers
High Point finished with a 7-9 record last year under first-year Head Coach John Crawley and went 3-2 in the Atlantic 10. The Panthers finished the year strong by reaching the title game of the A10 tournament where they fell to league champion Richmond by a 16-10 tally.
 
Justin Wixted returns this season after achieving 48 points on 14 goals and 34 assists to lead the team on offense as well as sophomore Owen Bunten, who led the team in goals with 39 for the season after transferring from Army. The 39 goals set a High Point freshman single-season record.
 
VMI picked fifth in NEC Preseason Poll
After barely missing out on qualifying for the NEC Tournament a year ago, the VMI lacrosse team was picked to finish fifth in the 2026 Northeast Conference Men's Lacrosse preseason poll.
 
The Keydets enter the 2026 campaign under Mendoza, who inherits a program that went 10-4 last season to mark VMI's best win total in 37 years.
 
A number of key contributors return from that squad including a number of offensive and defensive players with significant playing experience as well as faceoff specialist Jack Rogers.
 
Senior midfielder Austin English ranked second on the team in points last season with 51 on 38 goals and 13 assists, while junior Dayton Bagwell finished the year ranked third with 48 points on 41 goals and seven assists.
 
Junior Ty Yonas returns after playing nine games a year ago before suffering a season-ending injury. He scored eight goals in 2025 to go with 13 assists for a combined 21 points.
 
Senior starting goalie Adam Norris played a reserve role for the Keydets in 2025 but looks to finish his career strong in the cage after excellent freshman and sophomore seasons in 2023 and 2024.
 



 
 
 
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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
Adam Norris

#26 Adam Norris

GK
6' 0"
Junior
Jack Rogers

#13 Jack Rogers

FO
5' 8"
Junior
Ty Yonas

#22 Ty Yonas

A/M
5' 11"
Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Dayton Bagwell

#55 Dayton Bagwell

6' 0"
Sophomore
A/M
Austin English

#7 Austin English

6' 0"
Junior
M
Adam Norris

#26 Adam Norris

6' 0"
Junior
GK
Jack Rogers

#13 Jack Rogers

5' 8"
Junior
FO
Ty Yonas

#22 Ty Yonas

5' 11"
Sophomore
A/M