Your Army Black Knights beat a very good team from St. Joseph’s University this past weekend to move to 2-1 on the season.  The Black Knights scored nine goals in the first half while allowing only one but then struggled a bit to maintain their momentum after the break.  The Hawks scored twice out of halftime and threatened a comeback, but then the Black Knight defense rose to the challenge.  Attacker Brendan Nichtern followed with two goals late in the third period to maintain Army’s dominance, and that pretty much put the issue to rest.  The Black Knights began rotating their backups into the game midway through the fourth quarter but still finished +9 on the scoreboard.

Final Score: Army 13, St. Joe’s 5.

Closed out our non-conference slate with a strong win. We've got some great momentum headed into Patriot League play next weekend ?#GoArmy | #FamilyToughnessTradition https://t.co/oMKCD8sxAJ

— Army M.Lacrosse (@ArmyWP_MLax) February 27, 2021

 

Patriot League on Point

As we head into the heart of the season, Patriot League Lacrosse looks stronger than ever.  Four Patriot League teams are ranked in the Top 20 while two more teams began the year receiving votes.

• #7 Army
• #10 Loyola
• #13 Lehigh
• #17 Navy
• Receiving votes: Bucknell and Boston University.

That’s more than half the League!

Bottom line, Army’s schedule looks as hard as anyone’s right now.  The Black Knights have already played two Top 10 teams, Virginia and Syracuse, and save for the middle periods at Virginia, they’ve looked about as good as they possibly could have.  They’ve set themselves up in prime position, but now they have to make good on their potential.  What’s more, it seems extremely likely that they’ll face at least one more Top 10 team in Loyola later in the year.  The Patriot League’s perennial powerhouse is extremely likely to move up the rankings over the course of the season.

? RANKINGS UPDATE ?@RUmlax is soaring, climbing up the @Nike / @USLacrosse Division I Men's Top 20 to No. 5.

Also: @UAlbanyMLax, @HofstraMLAX join the Top 20.

Full Top 20 ?https://t.co/mV3MCA19eE

— US Lacrosse Magazine (@USLacrosseMag) March 1, 2021

 

Next Up: Boston University

The Black Knights visit the Boston University Terriers this Saturday.  BU hasn’t played a game yet, but they’ve got a good team with plenty of returning starters and a lot of tape to study as they prepare to face the Black Knights.  Sure, this is a game that Army probably ought to win, but the Terriers have given Army trouble in the past, and the sheer fact that they’re receiving votes in the national rankings speaks to their potential as an in-conference spoiler.  To get where they want to be in the postseason, Army needs to come strong on the road.

The Black Knights’ Patriot League opener will be on ESPN+, starting at 2 pm.

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Army West Point and Navy earned two awards each while Holy Cross collected one.

? https://t.co/YGXPCuwVBj#PatriotMLAX pic.twitter.com/3vjma0P8ih

— Patriot League (@PatriotLeague) March 1, 2021

Go Army! Beat BU!!!