LEXINGTON, Va. – The Southern Virginia University men's soccer team took on NCAA division I opponent, Virginia Military Institute, Thursday afternoon. In the second overall matchup between the programs, the Keydets were able to come away with a 1-0 victory in a fierce clash.

The Keydets controlled the ball throughout the first 45 minutes, with most of their possession coming in their attacking half of the field.

Sophomore goalkeeper for the Knights, Dallin Chappell, was brilliant in the first half, keeping his team in the game. The Sedalia, Missouri native made five saves in the half, including a diving save to deny a VMI header and a stop from a Keydet free kick.

VMI was quick to shut down any opportunity for a Southern Virginia counter attack and held the Knights to zero shots in the first half.

The second half started off in similar fashion, with the Keydets on the front foot, searching for the game's opening goal. VMI found the back of the net in the first minute of the half off a wonderful header, but the goal was disallowed after an offsides call.

Chappell was called into action throughout the second half, adding six saves, including a shot from just outside the box that was headed towards the top right corner but was turned away by a diving save from the Knights goalkeeper.

The breakthrough finally came in the 59^th minute when Adam Senna found his teammate Nathan Lam who snuck behind the defense and beat Chappell to put the Keydets on the board.

Southern Virginia was able to move the ball further up the pitch in the second half and created some scoring opportunities. The best of which, a Samuel Jaggi shot off a pass from teammate Alexandre Berry, was turned away by the VMI keeper.

After a hard-fought battle Thursday night, Southern Virginia will now prepare for their last match before the start of conference play when they travel to Washington D.C. to take on Gallaudet University on Wednesday, September 28.

Follow @knightmsoccer on Instagram for more updates and details on the team.