By Seth Mendelson/CaMMVets Media
3-3-2025
As far as Army head coach Joe Alberici is concerned it is one game at a time for the Black Knights as they continue their quest to reach the NCAA post season tournament in May.
On Saturday, the Black Knights took another step in the right direction, defeating visiting Lafayette, 15-5, behind a four-goal performance by both junior Gunnar Fellows and freshman sensation Brayden Fountain. It was both team’s opening games in the Patriot League, with the top six of nine teams in the league looking to secure a berth in league’s tournament at the end of the season.
Despite the fact that Army is now 5-0 and ranked fifth in the nation, Alberici is well aware of the fact that only the league champion is guaranteed a spot in the NCAA tournament and failing to win the league playoff usually means being left behind for one of the 17 spots available.
Last year was a great example. Army was ranked first in the nation for two weeks and finished the season with a solid 11-3 record, defeating such lacrosse bluebloods as Syracuse and North Carolina and knocking off Rutgers in non-conference games. But the Black Knights lost two regular season Patriot League games and lost to Lehigh in the conference semifinals and failed to make the NCAA tournament.
“We are focused on making sure we are playing our best lacrosse at the end of the season,” Alberici said. “We want to make sure we make the league playoffs, get enough wins to secure a first-round bye and gain homefield advantage throughout the tournament. That would put us in the driver’s seat in terms of doing all we can to help ourselves win that tournament.”
On Saturday, the Black Knights showed they are a force to be reckoned with in the Patriot League. After a slow start, they took a 9-3 lead into halftime and cruised in the second half. Besides Fellows and Fountain, the Black Knights were led by three goals from junior Evan Plunkett and two goals from senior Jackson Eicher.
Goaline Sean Byrne was superb in the net again for Army, stopping nine of 14 shots. Meanwhile Army outshot the Leopards, 45-26.
Starting faceoff specialist Will Coletti, considered one of the best in the nation, was injured early in the game. He was replaced by Robert Simone, who won 10 of 18 faceoffs and scored a goal. Alberici said that Coletti is suffering from a lower-body injury and should return to the lineup soon.
The Army women’s team did not have the same success as the men. Going into the game with a three-game winning streak to start the season, the Black Knights lost to previously-winless Colorado, 12-6. Army’s Brigid Duffy, who scored 13 goals in her first three games, was held to
just two goals against the Buffaloes. Lily Valentini also scored twice for the Black Knights and teammate Allison Reilly had two assists.
On Saturday, the Black Knights took another step in the right direction, defeating visiting Lafayette, 15-5, behind a four-goal performance by both junior Gunnar Fellows and freshman sensation Brayden Fountain. It was both team’s opening games in the Patriot League, with the top six of nine teams in the league looking to secure a berth in league’s tournament at the end of the season.
Despite the fact that Army is now 5-0 and ranked fifth in the nation, Alberici is well aware of the fact that only the league champion is guaranteed a spot in the NCAA tournament and failing to win the league playoff usually means being left behind for one of the 17 spots available.
Last year was a great example. Army was ranked first in the nation for two weeks and finished the season with a solid 11-3 record, defeating such lacrosse bluebloods as Syracuse and North Carolina and knocking off Rutgers in non-conference games. But the Black Knights lost two regular season Patriot League games and lost to Lehigh in the conference semifinals and failed to make the NCAA tournament.
“We are focused on making sure we are playing our best lacrosse at the end of the season,” Alberici said. “We want to make sure we make the league playoffs, get enough wins to secure a first-round bye and gain homefield advantage throughout the tournament. That would put us in the driver’s seat in terms of doing all we can to help ourselves win that tournament.”
On Saturday, the Black Knights showed they are a force to be reckoned with in the Patriot League. After a slow start, they took a 9-3 lead into halftime and cruised in the second half. Besides Fellows and Fountain, the Black Knights were led by three goals from junior Evan Plunkett and two goals from senior Jackson Eicher.
Goaline Sean Byrne was superb in the net again for Army, stopping nine of 14 shots. Meanwhile Army outshot the Leopards, 45-26.
Starting faceoff specialist Will Coletti, considered one of the best in the nation, was injured early in the game. He was replaced by Robert Simone, who won 10 of 18 faceoffs and scored a goal. Alberici said that Coletti is suffering from a lower-body injury and should return to the lineup soon.
The Army women’s team did not have the same success as the men. Going into the game with a three-game winning streak to start the season, the Black Knights lost to previously-winless Colorado, 12-6. Army’s Brigid Duffy, who scored 13 goals in her first three games, was held to
just two goals against the Buffaloes. Lily Valentini also scored twice for the Black Knights and teammate Allison Reilly had two assists.
All photos: ARMY ATHLETICS