The VMI Keydets struck first, but Steele Stanwick sparked a 6-0 run to lead the No. 1 Virginia Cavaliers to a 19-5 victory to improve to 2-0 on the season. With seven points coming from two goals and five assists, Stanwick broke his long drought of games without any points at all...one. The Hoos are now 19-0 against VMI.
Ten different Cavaliers found the back of the cage in tonight's home opener at Klockner. Matt White and Mark Cockerton each led the way with three goals apiece. Along with Stanwick, Chris Bocklet, Owen Van Arsdale, Colin Briggs and Matt Cockerton all had two goals. Chris Clements, Ryan Tucker and Chris LaPierre all made it into the box score as well, with one goal each.
Virginia struggled tremendously on face-offs tonight, winning only eight of 28 attempts. Specialist Ryan Benincasa won 4 of 13, while Mick Parks won 3 of 10.
Senior Rob Fortunato only needed to play 30 minutes in the cage tonight, where he gave up three goals and had four saves to pick up the win. Redshirt freshman Austin Geisler saw 19:29 in playing time, adding a save and not giving up any goals. Conor McGee had a quiet 4:47 in the cage, while Rhody Heller gave up two goals and made one save in 5:44 of playing time.
Virginia hosts a down Stony Brook this weekend (down? Or regressed-to-the-mean?). The Seawolves lost their season opener to Fairfield in large part due to a 5-1 run in the third period. The game is scheduled to face off at noon and will be on ESPN3.