VMI Secures First Win of Season in Corner‑Kick Battle
Virginia Military Institute’s men’s soccer team earned its first victory of the campaign on Saturday, defeating Presbyterian College 3‑1 at Patchin Field in Lexington, Virginia. The Keydets’ triumph came courtesy of a corner‑kick onslaught that proved decisive in a tightly contested match.
Presbyterian struck first, with Mo Alahmad finding the net in the 51st minute to put the visiting Scots ahead. The lead was short‑lived, however, as Jack Miller equalised just a minute later from a corner, heading the ball past the keeper to level the scores.
VMI’s corner specialists soon took control. Miguel Osorto converted a second corner in the 57th minute to give the Keydets the lead, and Jaime Loya added an insurance goal in the 85th minute. Both goals stemmed from set‑piece deliveries, underscoring the team’s tactical focus on dead‑ball situations.
Between the posts, Santiago Rocha made two crucial saves to preserve the lead, while Saed Anabtawi’s four stops for Presbyterian kept the match within reach. VMI outshot the opposition 15‑8 over the course of the game and earned eight corner opportunities compared with just three for the Scots.
Looking Ahead
The Keydets will aim to build on the momentum when they host Randolph College on Wednesday at 4 p.m. at the same venue. The upcoming clash promises another test of VMI’s set‑piece proficiency and defensive resilience.
Virginia Military Institute, Presbyterian College, and Randolph College are all members of the NCAA Division III liberal arts circuit, with VMI representing the military academy in Lexington, a town that also hosts the historic Patchin Field.