Playing in its first road game of the season, the VMI men’s soccer team fell to host Howard University by a 2-0 score Saturday evening at Greene Stadium in Washington, D.C.
The Keydets played a close match with the Bison, trailing in shot attempts by only an 8-6 margin and had four shots on goal to the Bison’s six. Howard’s Andres Gomez found the back of the net once per half to give the Bison the tallies en route to the win.
At the 11:48 mark, Gomez drew Keydet goalie Robert Allen out and sailed the ball into the top of the net for the first score, and later (72:54) took a cross from Daniel Hart and again found the net for the final tally.
“I’m very proud of the team tonight,” said VMI head coach Michael Bonelli. “It was a tough game and both teams played very well. We defended very well and created a number of great counter attacking chances, which led to our nine corner kicks on the night. We have to a better job of finishing on attacking set pieces, and I believe that was the difference tonight.
“Overall, our program is improving on a daily basis and the team competed for 90 minutes. We expect our players to compete for 90 minutes and they have. Success is coming for this group – we just have to keep working and doing the right things on a daily basis.”
VMI’s Alex Hartman led the Keydets with two shots on goal while David Wright and Jonathan Martinez each logged one. Chris Spates and Dan Geyer also put a foot on the ball to register shot attempts.
The Keydets displayed offensive hustle by taking nine corner kicks to only three for the Bison.
In a complete game, Allen earned four saves for the Keydets while Howard’s Kenneth Hersey picked up the win with four saves of his own.
VMI next takes the pitch at home with a match against Buffalo on Friday, Sept. 9, at 1 p.m. at Patchin Field.
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