2014 Results: Navy 18 v VMI 5
VMI: 2-12 with wins over Air Force & Richmond
Navy: 4-10, losing to Lehigh in the Patriot League Quartfinals
VMI loses their top scorer in Mickey Hofmeister (30G, 11A) and that is their only loss on offense heading into 2015. They return Mike Deblasio, Ben Huger, Dale Mattice who combined for 26 goals and 14 assists. They will need Brad Nardella, Dan Bull, Gage Snowbarger, Kasey Kettle, Brad Biondello, and Andrew Erber to all step up and contribute much more than they did last year on O.
Evan Windisch made 149 saves last season, finishing with a 49 save percentage. He returns for VMI between the pipes and will be in charge of a defense that allowed double digit goals eight times out of their 14 game schedule.
Navy is fired up to start 2015 on a high note. The Midshipmen won only four games last season over VMI, Holy Cross, Lafayette and Boston. They made the Patriot League tournament thanks to three of their four wins coming over teams in the conference and look to get back there again this year.
They lose their top two point getters in Sam Jones and Tucker Hall who tallied 23 goals each with Jones grabbing 19 assists to Halls’ six.
TJ Hanzsche will lead Navy on the offensive side of the ball after a 24 point season in 2014. He will need help on attack from Pat Keena & Jack Hinderland. Up top, Gabe Voumard is the the lone midfielder with Pat Durkin and Austin Heneveld graduating. The Midshipmen will have a lot to replace on offense heading into 2015.
Defensively, John Connors returns as the goaltender for Navy. Connors completed 2014 35th in the NCAA in saves with an average of 52 percent. Coach Rick Sowell’s defense finished 20th in NCAA men’s Division I lacrosse with an average of just above nine goals per game.
This rivalry began back in 2008, with Navy taking home a ten to two victory over VMI. Since then, the Keydets are 0 and seven versus the team from Annapolis. Is this the year that coach Anken’s team takes down the blue and gold?
Game is set for noon time today at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, MD.
