Army West Point Athletics
Black Knights Recognized in Early US Lacrosse Rankings
September 15, 2020 | Men's Lacrosse
WEST POINT, N.Y. - The Army West Point men's lacrosse team ranked 16th nationally in the US Lacrosse Early 2021 Rankings, announced on Tuesday.Â
The Cadets went 2-1 against ranked opponents in the 2020 season with their one loss coming to then-ranked No. 5 Syracuse. Army finished 6-2 overall before the season ended for programs across the country.Â
Army's scoring defense (7.25) was second in the nation and its scoring margin of 6.50 was seventh. Brendan Nichtern ranked fourth in Division I with 3.38 assists per game, while his 5.75 points per game average was good for ninth. Wyatt Schupler finished the year fourth nationally in save percentage (.617) and was second for his 7.18 goals against average.Â
US Lacrosse's Initial Forecast
If there's a built-in disadvantage in 2021, the service academies are dealing with it. That's because while civilian schools at least have a choice in permitting last year's seniors to come back next spring, academy graduates are already off serving the country. That might not hurt an academy team without many seniors (like Navy), but Army had some serious losses. That said, coach Joe Alberici's done a fabulous job of building up depth on his roster, and many of the Black Knights' stars from last season — attackman Brendan Nichtern (19 goals, 27 assists), midfielders Bobby Abshire (seven goals, seven assists) and Jacob Morin (12 goals), defenseman Marcus Hudgins (30 caused turnovers) and goalie Wyatt Schupler (.617 save percentage), among others — are still at West Point. As usual, no one will look forward to facing Army.
The Cadets went 2-1 against ranked opponents in the 2020 season with their one loss coming to then-ranked No. 5 Syracuse. Army finished 6-2 overall before the season ended for programs across the country.Â
Army's scoring defense (7.25) was second in the nation and its scoring margin of 6.50 was seventh. Brendan Nichtern ranked fourth in Division I with 3.38 assists per game, while his 5.75 points per game average was good for ninth. Wyatt Schupler finished the year fourth nationally in save percentage (.617) and was second for his 7.18 goals against average.Â
US Lacrosse's Initial Forecast
If there's a built-in disadvantage in 2021, the service academies are dealing with it. That's because while civilian schools at least have a choice in permitting last year's seniors to come back next spring, academy graduates are already off serving the country. That might not hurt an academy team without many seniors (like Navy), but Army had some serious losses. That said, coach Joe Alberici's done a fabulous job of building up depth on his roster, and many of the Black Knights' stars from last season — attackman Brendan Nichtern (19 goals, 27 assists), midfielders Bobby Abshire (seven goals, seven assists) and Jacob Morin (12 goals), defenseman Marcus Hudgins (30 caused turnovers) and goalie Wyatt Schupler (.617 save percentage), among others — are still at West Point. As usual, no one will look forward to facing Army.
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