The 2025 season marked Gage Ponsetti’s second year on staff at VMI and his first as the program’s Special Teams Coordinator under head coach James Purpura.
In 2025, the Keydets posted their best season in nearly four decades, finishing with a program-record 10 Division I wins. Under Ponsetti’s leadership, goalie Damian Levin finished third nationally in save percentage and was selected to the USILA Senior All-Star Game. VMI ranked 16th in scoring defense and allowed the fewest goals in a season in 25 years. Defender RJ Wyrick earned Second Team All-NEC honors, and LSM Zac Creel was named to the NEC All-Rookie Team.
In his first season at VMI in 2024, Ponsetti played a key role in the program’s breakout year. VMI won seven Division I games—tying the 1995 mark for most in school history—and posted its highest win total in 19 years. The defense improved by 1.7 goals per game, recorded the program’s lowest goals-against average in 12 years, and ranked 16th nationally in scoring defense. The unit also finished 21st in caused turnovers per game, with junior defenseman James Boynewicz ranking 14th individually. Under Ponsetti’s guidance, LSM Alex Baber earned Second Team All-MAAC honors, and senior defenseman Luke McDonald was selected to the USILA Senior All-Star Game. The team allowed the fewest total goals in a season in 25 years.
Ponsetti works with goalies, faceoff midfielders, assists with the defense, and manages the substitution box. Ponsetti also assists with the day-to-day operations of the program.
Before VMI, he was defensive coordinator at Wheeling University. In 2023, his extra-man defense ranked eighth nationally, and all goalies posted save percentages of 50 percent or better. The program also increased its win total under his leadership. Prior to that, he was a graduate assistant at Alfred University, working with goalies, defense, scouting, and recruiting.
As a player, Ponsetti was a multi-year starting goalie at Alfred University, where he appeared in 18 games (17 starts) with a 47.6 percent save percentage. He began his career at Siena College, starting seven games as a freshman with a 46.8 percent save percentage.
A Penn Yan, New York native, Ponsetti played for Coach Purpura in the Sweetlax club program. He earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Alfred in 2021.
