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The VMI Keydets are our 12th Division I team in our 2018 schedule preview series and the second team from the Southern Conference. The Keydets recorded two wins for the second consecutive season, both against NJIT and Hampton.
Here’s the entire 2018 schedule:
VMI’s 2018 Schedule
| Date | Road Team | Home Team | Special Notes | Last Year's Meeting(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Road Team | Home Team | Special Notes | Last Year's Meeting(s) |
| 1/30 | VMI | Salisbury (D3) | Scrimmage | |
| 2/10 | VMI | Roanoake (D3) | Scrimmage | |
| 2/17 | VMI | Manhattan | First meeting since 2013 (10-6 W) | |
| 2/24 | VMI | NJIT | 9-8 W | |
| 3/3 | VMI | Mount St. Mary's | 14-8 L | |
| 3/6 | Wagner | VMI | 11-8 L | |
| 3/10 | Richmond | VMI | SoCon | 13-8 L |
| 3/13 | Monmouth | VMI | 15-8 L | |
| 3/17 | VMI | Air Force | SoCon | 14-4 L |
| 3/24 | Furman | VMI | SoCon | 18-3 L |
| 3/31 | Hampton | VMI | 14-1 W | |
| 4/7 | VMI | Mercer | SoCon | 11-8 L |
| 4/13 | VMI | High Point | SoCon | 11-5 L |
| 4/21 | Bellarmine | VMI | SoCon | 13-8 L |
| 4/28 | VMI | Jacksonville | SoCon | 16-10 L |
There’s a few changes to this year’s schedule. Gone are Army West Point and Delaware. In comes Manhattan, who was a former conference opponent of the Keydets back when VMI was in the MAAC.
Let’s check out some notable games on this schedule:
Best Non Conference Game: @ NJIT
Reason is NJIT is starting to kind of be good. These two teams are always at the bottom of the pile in regards of college lacrosse, and this game always means one team doesn’t have to be scared of going winless early in the season. VMI barely won last year’s meeting by a goal, and beat the Highlanders by three goals two years ago. If the trend continues, NJIT will be the ones coming out on top.
Best Conference Game: @ Mercer
The Bears were VMI’s closest SoCon game, losing by three goals. This year’s game is in Georgia, so it may be a little more difficult for the Keydets to steal a win against Mercer.
Under The Radar Game: vs. Wagner
It’s Wagner, our favorite team. Shoutout to them, but it was also a close game last year, with the Seahawks winning by three goals. They also lost to the Seahawks by a goal two years ago. How will the Keydets respond for their home opener?
Possible Upset: vs. Manhattan
This section is really wide open, because VMI would probably be the underdog in nearly every game if Las Vegas had real betting odds for college lacrosse. VMI’s had Manhattan’s number previously, but it’s been five years since their last meeting, and things have changed. Will it change for the Jaspers?