The 2026 VMI lacrosse season showed the program continues to improve and will continue to be a force in the Northeast Conference.
While the season saw its ups and downs, the Keydets finished the season strong by winning their final three games of the year to qualify for the program’s first postseason appearance in 4 years, as the Keydets had not qualified for a conference tournament since their final year in the Southern Conference back in 2022.
At the NEC Tournament, the No. 4 seed Keydets put up a good fight against the No. 1 seed and tournament host, Robert Morris University, where VMI battled to a 12-5 loss in Moon Township, Pennsylvania, April 30, 2026. Beau Durkin ’28, attackman, and Adam Norris ’26, goalie, were named to the All-Tournament Team as Durkin registered a hat trick while Norris logged 13 saves against an aggressive Colonial attack.
Six Keydets earned NEC postseason recognition as coaches around the league took notice of VMI’s talent. Dayton Bagwell ’27 achieved First Team All-Conference honors while Durkin, Jack Duncan-Bloom ’27, and Greg Peters ’28 received Second Team All-Conference recognition. In addition, Ethan Ostrowski ’29, midfielder, and Alex Seaton ’29, defenseman, were named to the NEC All-Rookie Team.
The turning point of the season came after consecutive double-digit losses to Cleveland State University and Robert Morris, with only a month left to play in the regular season. The Keydets faced a daunting trip to Long Island University April 11, a team which at the time shared the conference lead with Robert Morris and was 3-0 in league play. Unfazed from two straight losses, the Keydets rebounded by going up to Long Island and earning a 10-8 upset over the Sharks to put the Keydets back in the picture for postseason qualification.
VMI handled business senior day with a 13-6 win over Wagner College April 18 to set up the opportunity to qualify for the postseason in the regular season finale at the University of Detroit Mercy the following weekend. The Keydets were dominant from the start as they built an 8-1 lead by halftime against the Titans en route to an eventual 14-5 victory to earn a berth to their first-ever NEC Tournament.
The Keydets showed resilience in other victories throughout the season as they rallied from behind to achieve wins over Monmouth University, Queens University at Charlotte, and Hampton University in non-conference play. VMI also showed toughness in a 19-12 loss to the U.S. Naval Academy Feb. 17 after trailing by just two at halftime.
With a strong contingent of starters and underclassmen with significant playing time returning to the roster in 2027, the future looks bright for the VMI lacrosse program.
