RADFORD – For junior James Leith (Herndon, Va./Oakton), his goal Wednesday night continued a recent hot streak.  For sophomore Iyiola Awosika (London England/Aylesbury Grammar), his two second half goals were long overdue in a frustrating season.

Leith netted the game-winner and Awosika scored twice in the second half for Radford, as the Highlanders got their first Big South men's soccer win of the season, 3-1, over VMI at Cupp Stadium.

Wednesday's goal scorers couldn't have come into the game in more different spots in their seasons.

Leith notched the game-winner for the Highlanders (4-6-2, 1-3-2 Big South) in the first half, his third goal in the last four games, and his first three tallies since November of 2007.

“I've been in some good places recently, and my teammates keep finding me,” Leith said.  “If we keep doing those things, we'll continue to score more.”

Awosika's goals were his first two of the season and his first since Oct. 11 of last year, a Big South freshman of the year campaign where he led the Highlanders in scoring.

“It feels great,” Awosika said.  “Tonight was a team effort, and I felt like I was in the right places at the right time.  I was just grateful for the opportunities, to be honest.”

Leith and Awosika said they were in the right spots Wednesday, and that's what head coach Spencer Smith has been preaching all along, even through the dry spells this season.

“We continue to create better chances,” Smith said.  “I'm harping on creating those chances, because goals are going to continue to come.”

Intensity, says Awosika, has gone a long way to creating a more productive stretch, with eight goals in the four games since the shutout streak ended Oct. 6.

“Coach is doing a great job emphasizing that everything we do has to be competitive,” Awosika said.  “Everything, even those warm-up sessions right before the games are getting competitive.  Everyone has to keep working, and keep fighting the rest of the way.”

Leith's goal came in the 36th minute on an odd-man break down the far side of field, when senior Justin Zimmer (Chesapeake, Va./Hickory) fed a ball ahead for Leith, who netted it from 10 yards out into the bottom corner to give the Radford a 1-0 lead.

“Goals don't come from 20 yards out, they come from six yards out,” Smith said.  “James has been getting himself into better scoring positions and the chances are coming for him.”

Awosika scored early in the second half, shooting from 12 yards out in the middle of the penalty box to give the Highlanders a two-goal cushion in the 47th.  His second came with time winding down, when he grabbed a loose ball just before midfield and raced all alone to the other end of the field to score and give Radford a 3-0 lead in the 87th minute.

“I thought his first goal was a great one and it's nice to see when things you've been working on pay off in the games,” Smith said.  “The second was one where he just out-ran everyone.  I hope tonight was a confidence builder that leads to bigger and better things for him.”

The tallies, and the win, couldn't have come at a better time for Radford, which takes the next nine days away from the pitch.

“We're starting to just get better and better, and getting a lot more confidence heading into this final stretch,” Leith said.

The Highlanders return to action next Friday (Oct. 30) when they host Elon.