LEXINGTON, Va. -- The Washington and Lee men's soccer team scored three first half goals en route to a 4-1 win over Southern Virginia University in its home-opener this afternoon at Watt Field.

The Generals (1-2) jumped out to a 1-0 lead just over two minutes into the game when senior midfielder Justin Mygatt (Marietta, Ga./Woodward Academy) found the back of the Knights goal. Freshman forward Jack Palmer (Williamsburg, Va./Jamestown) scored at the 38:31 mark to give W&L a 2-0 lead. The lead grew to 3-0 just 37 seconds later when sophomore forward Sandy Piracci (Chapel Hill, N.C./Chapel Hill) scored off a feed from freshman forward Court Nexsen (Lynchburg, Va./Virginia Episcopal).

Southern Virginia (2-3) cut the deficit to 3-1 in the first minute of the second half on a goal by sophomore forward Greg McClain, but that was as close as they would get. Nexson salted the game away when he scored his first collegiate goal with 2.5 seconds remaining in the game.

W&L freshman goalkeeper Ted Sheedy (Pittsburgh, Pa./Fox Chapel) garnered his first collegiate win by making two saves. Junior goalkeeper Tom Stansfield stopped four shots for the Knights.

The Generals outshot Southern Virginia 32-6 and held a 9-2 advantage in corner kicks.

Washington and Lee returns to the field on Saturday when it hosts ODAC-rival Bridgewater. The contest is slated to begin at 3:00 pm.

--GENERALS--

GOALS
W&L - Justin Mygatt, Jack Palmer, Sandy Piracci, Court Nexsen
SVU - Greg McClain

ASSISTS
W&L - Court Nexsen
SVU - none

GOALKEEPERS
Ted Sheedy (W&L) 90:00, 1 GA, 2 Saves
Tom Stansfield (SVU) 90:00, 4 GA, 4 Saves

TEAM STATS
W&L - 32 shots, 9 corner kicks, 2 saves, 16 fouls, 0 cards
SVU - 6 shots, 2 corner kicks, 4 saves, 8 fouls, 0 cards