VMI men’s soccer opens 2016 season on Friday

Looking forward to a new season under first-year head coach Michael Bonelli, the VMI men’s soccer program begins its 2016 campaign Friday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. at Patchin Field against visiting Longwood University.

Sophomore Grant Austin returns to the squad after leading the team with two goals in 2015. He is accompanied by Campbell Wood, Alex Hartman, David Wright and Sam Moffat, a group that contributed one goal apiece a season ago. Contributing to the VMI attack are returners Todd Johnson, Jonathan Martinez and Sohrab Shaikh, who each tallied an assist during the 2015 season. Austin and Hartman led the team in shot attempts last year with 12 apiece, while Wood, Moffatt, Martinez and Johnson each logged six.

In the goalbox, coach Bonelli will look to sophomores Robert Allen and Mason Worsham, who are both vying for time as the starter. Both saw limited action in 2015 as senior Alex Guerra broke school records in saves and time in the frame.

Broadcast Information
The game can be viewed by way of live stats at the link above or to the left. The SoCon Digital Network will also stream the event, which also can be viewed by way of the links above or to the left.

VMI-Longwood Series (3-13-0)
The game marks the first official contest of the season for both squads for a third straight season as Longwood escaped Lexington in 2014 with a 1-0 victory before claiming last year’s game in Farmville by a 4-1 tally. The Lancers own a 13-3 all-time series lead over the Keydets dating back to 1986. The Keydets last took a win over the Lancers by a 4-2 score in 2009 at Patchin Field.

About the Lancers (0-0, 0-0 Big South)
Longwood returns the services of sophomore forward Willy Miezan, who scored 13 goals in 2015 to rank among the leaders of the Big South Conference. Senior Finnlay Wyatt also returns after scoring three goals a year ago. Junior midfielder Dan Campos provides a lift on offense as the assists leader as he logged six throughout the 2015 season. Miezan, Wyatt and Campos combined to tally 37 points for the Lancers last year. Wyatt and Miezan alone accounted for 120 shot attempts for the season.

Senior goalie Carlos Canas logged the most time last season with over 1,000 minutes in the box as opponents scored 13 goals on him for a 1.16 goals-against average. He registered 33 saves on the year for a .717 save percentage en route to a 6-3-0 individual record.