ANNAPOLIS, Md.- The VMI men's soccer team, coming off a 5-3 setback against UMBC Thursday afternoon, will take on the Navy Midshipmen in the second round of the UMBC/Navy Kickoff Classic Sat., Sept.4 at 7 p.m. Navy is 1-0, and is coming off of a 3-1 victory over Wofford in its first contest of the season Thursday.

Trailing 3-0 heading into the half against the Retrievers, the Keydets rebounded quickly, as Zaher Shihata assisted on an Amir Shihata goal in the 50th minute. The goal snapped a six-match shutout streak dating back to Oct. 23 of last season, and VMI went on to outscore the Retrievers in the second half, 3-2. The offensive output of three goals were the most scored in a season opener since 2005, as the Keydets defeated Southern Virginia 4-0.

A pair of Keydets scored their first collegiate goals in the match, as sophomore midfielder Matt Seinfeld, and freshman Aaron White found the back of the net for the Keydets.  The match marked the first time the Keydets scored three goals or more was against Longwood on Sept. 26 of last season.

In the Midshipmen's first contest of the season, the squad fell behind in the 14th minute, but shutout Wofford the rest of the contest to take the match 3-1. Right before halftime, David Jackson capitalized on a penalty kick. In the second half, Dave Arnold gave Navy the go-ahead goal in the 56th minute, and Sam Miller added an insurance goal in the 66th minute.

Navy leads the all-time series 3-0, and the teams last met during the 1994 season, with Navy defeating the Keydets 4-1 in Annapolis.
Live stats will be available prior to the match, courtesy of Navy.

Following the matchup, VMI will have six days to prepare for the Dr. Jay Sculley Tournament Sept. 10-12, hosting St. Francis (N.Y.), Marshall and Liberty for the two match weekend tournament. The tourney commences Fri., Sept. 10 at Noon, as Liberty will take on Marshall from Patchin Field. At 4 p.m., the Keydets will square off against St. Francis (N.Y.)