MOUNT ST. MARY'S (0-0) at VMI (0-2)
Saturday, February 14, 2015, 12:00 p.m.
Lexington, Va., Drill Field #2

GAME NOTES | LIVE STATS

MOUNT UPDATE:  The Mountaineers open the 2015 season at VMI.  Last year, the Mount went 1-15 overall and 1-4 in the Northeast Conference.   Bubba Johnson paced the Mount with 13 goals and 20 points last season while Mark Hojnoski added 12 goals and 18 points. Nick Haley won 48.9 percent of his face-offs while tying for the team lead with 41 ground balls.

ABOUT THE KEYDETS:  VMI is 0-2 so far this season, falling to Navy (21-7) and Army (24-3).  Dan Bull, Brad Nardella, Brad Biondello and Mike DeBlasio each have two goals on the season.  Evan Windisch has started both games in goal with Joe Riccadonna playing the second half.  Windisch has 15 saves with Riccadonna posting 11.

THE ALL-TIME SERIES:  Mount St. Mary's is 17-2 all-time against VMI since moving to NCAA Division I in 1989.  The Mountaineers have won seven in a row against VMI, including a 15-4 home win on March 10, 2012, in the last matchup between the schools.  The Mount and VMI were in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference together from 2003-2010.  The Mount has won three straight against VMI on the road, and is 8-2 all-time on the road against the Keydets.

TEAM CAPTAINS:  Mike Daly, Nick Firman and Braedon Graham will serve as team captains for the Mountaineers this season.

EXPERIENCE ON DEFENSE:  The Mount defense returns three starters in Nick Firman, Kyle O'Brien and Alex Stefkovich.  The trio combined for 90 ground balls and 22 caused turnovers last season.

FACING OFF:  The Mountaineers return their top two face-off specialists this season.  Seniors Mike Celmer and Nick Haley handled the face-off duties last year for the Mountaineers.  Celmer won 58-of-94 (.617) face-offs while Haley won 87-of-178 (.489) last season.  Haley tied for the team lead with 41 ground balls.

PRESEASON POLLS:  Mount St. Mary's has been picked to finish in sixth place in the annual Northeast Conference preseason coaches' poll, released Tuesday.  Three-time defending NEC Tournament champion Bryant was picked to finish in first place, followed by Saint Joseph's, Hobart, Sacred Heart, Robert Morris, the Mount and Wagner.

UP NEXT:  The Mountaineers host Delaware on Friday, February 20, at 4:00 p.m.