HAMPTON, Va. (Feb. 21, 2026) … The Hampton University lacrosse team dropped a heartbreaker Saturday evening to VMI 17-15.

Hampton jumped out to an early 5-2 lead in the first quarter, courtesy of five different Pirates'. Maliik Wood started and finished a Hampton 5-0 run in that span. After a Keydet goal, Wood responded once more, followed by a Jadon Myers goal to extend Hampton's lead to 8-3. 

VMI closed the half out on a 5-0 run before Anthony Bardonille Jr. halted the spurt with 2:30 left in the half to help Hampton take a 9-7 lead into the half. 

Wood and Darius Stanley quickly gave Hampton a 11-7 lead six minutes into the third, but the Keydets responded once more. Dayton Bagwell scored three consecutive goals as VMI reeled off a 5-0 run to gain a 13-11 lead through three. 

The Pirates ripped off two goals in the first three minutes of the fourth to tie the game once more at 13. The two sides then exchanged goals over the next eight minutes, with Bardonille Jr. tied the game with 4:15 remaining. 

VMI closed the final 1:30 of the game with two goals to eventually topple the Pirates 17-15. The 15 goals are the most by the Pirates against an NCAA Division I opponent. 

Bardonille Jr. and Wood each scored four goals on the night, while Bardonille Jr. led the team with three assists.

UP NEXT:
Hampton returns to action Feb. 28 when they play host to Wagner at Armstrong Stadium. The match will start at 11:00 a.m.