High Point, N.C. – The High Point University men's lacrosse team opens the 2026 season at home against VMI on Saturday, February 7th at 12:00 p.m. inside Vert Stadium. The game will be free admission with a chance to receive a lavender beanie on a first come first serve basis. Due to the recent snowy/icy conditions in High Point, we advise fans to prepare and take precautions in the seating areas for safety.
 
Men's Lacrosse - vs Virginia Military Institute
Saturday, February 7 | 12:00 p.m. | High Point, N.C. | Vert Stadium
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Season Opener

Records: High Point 0-0, VMI 0-0
Last Meeting: February 8, 2025 | Result: HPU won 12-11
All-Time Record: HPU leads 11-0
 
The Matchup: 

• High Point opens the 2026 season at home against VMI (Feb. 7) after the weather canceled HPU's original season-opener at Navy (Jan. 31).
• HPU is 11-0 versus VMI.
• The Panthers won in an overtime thriller at VMI 12-11 in 2025.
• VMI posted a 10-4 overall record in 2025 with a .325 shot percentage and a .919 clear percentage as a team.
• The Cadets graduated their leading scorer, Luke Rusterucci from the 2025 season who finished with 42 goals, including three game winners. Dayton Bagwell and Austin English return for the 2026 season after scoring 41 and 38 goals respectively last season.
• VMI is coached by Taylor Mendoza who enters his 1st season with the Cadets. 

What's New with the Panthers:

• Coach Crawley added Jack Posey to the 2026 staff as an Assistant Coach. Posey brings Division I and PLL experience to the team.
• High Point added 19 new players for the 2026 season, with 17 freshman and two transfers.
• Luca Accardo was named a USA Lacrosse Preseason All-American and a Nike Lacrosse Preseason Media All-American.

2025 in Review:

• Head Coach John Crawley completed his first season with the Panthers in 2025, posting a 7-9 overall record and 3-2 record in Atlantic 10 Conference play.
• The Panthers entered the A10 Tournament as the No. 2 seed.
• HPU defeated No. 3 seed St. Joseph's in the A10 semifinals and battled No. 1 seed Richmond in the championship game before falling 16-10.
• Zack Overend was named to the USILA Team of the Week on Wednesday April 23 after setting the HPU program record with 23 saves in a single-game.
• Eight players were named to the Atlantic 10 All-Conference list.
• Luca Accardo was named a Nike Lacrosse Media All-American following the season.
• Owen Bunten set the HPU Rookie Single-Season goal record with 38 goals on the season.