Army West Point Athletics
Nichtern Named Preseason Offensive Player of the Year; Army Ranked Second Overall
February 05, 2021 | Men's Lacrosse
WEST POINT, N.Y. – Army West Point men's lacrosse made a splash in the Patriot League preseason awards Friday morning. The Black Knights received the second highest votes in the league (111), predicted to finish second overall behind Loyola Maryland. Not only did Army receive high team recognition but also had four athletes listed amongst the All-Patriot League Team including Brendan Nichtern, Bobby Abshire, Marcus Hudgins and Wyatt Schupler. Nichtern also earned the highest honors from the league, named the 2021 Patriot League Preseason Offensive Player of the Year.
A junior from Massapequa, N.Y., Nichtern became the youngest player to hit 100-career points in Army Lacrosse history in the 2020 season. Through eight games, Nichtern notched 19 goals (three game winners) and a team-high 27 assists and 46 points while also being named to the Tewaaraton Award Watch List and an Inside Lacrosse All-America Third Team honoree. His success on the field found him ranked fourth in the nation with 3.38 assists per game and ninth in points per game (5.75). This season Nichtern will hold a high leadership position for the Black Knights, named one of three captains for 2021.
"Brendan burst on the national scene with a brilliant plebe season and since that year he has continued to improve," said Head Coach Joe Alberici. "The preseason distinction of being named player of the year is well deserved for all that he has previously accomplished. I am excited to see his continued growth as a leader of the Army Lacrosse family."
Including Nichtern, three other Black Knights found themselves ranked amongst the conference's best, including midfielder Bobby Abshire, defenseman Marcus Hudgins and goalie Wyatt Schupler. Each played an integral part in Army's success in 2020 in their respective roles.
Abshire was one of only six players to accumulate double digit points in 2020, ranking second on the team in assists (7) and fourth on the team in points (14). Schupler provided a brick wall for the Black Knights in net, ranking second nationally in goals against average (7.18) while Hudgins assisted in Army's defensive effort, also ranked nationally in caused turnovers per game, tied for fourth overall (2.5).
"The preseason rankings are based on what previous Army teams have accomplished, so there is not too much emphasis put on them in our program," said Alberici. "This group is hungry to earn the respect of their predecessors as well as of their opponents with tremendous effort, execution and unselfish play."
As a team, Army finished with a 6-2 overall record and a 2-0 conference record, ranked second overall before having the season cut short. The Black Knights are looking to regain their momentum in 2021, scheduled to open up the season on Feb. 13 against UMASS.
For the full list of awards, visit the Patriot League site.
A junior from Massapequa, N.Y., Nichtern became the youngest player to hit 100-career points in Army Lacrosse history in the 2020 season. Through eight games, Nichtern notched 19 goals (three game winners) and a team-high 27 assists and 46 points while also being named to the Tewaaraton Award Watch List and an Inside Lacrosse All-America Third Team honoree. His success on the field found him ranked fourth in the nation with 3.38 assists per game and ninth in points per game (5.75). This season Nichtern will hold a high leadership position for the Black Knights, named one of three captains for 2021.
"Brendan burst on the national scene with a brilliant plebe season and since that year he has continued to improve," said Head Coach Joe Alberici. "The preseason distinction of being named player of the year is well deserved for all that he has previously accomplished. I am excited to see his continued growth as a leader of the Army Lacrosse family."
Including Nichtern, three other Black Knights found themselves ranked amongst the conference's best, including midfielder Bobby Abshire, defenseman Marcus Hudgins and goalie Wyatt Schupler. Each played an integral part in Army's success in 2020 in their respective roles.
Abshire was one of only six players to accumulate double digit points in 2020, ranking second on the team in assists (7) and fourth on the team in points (14). Schupler provided a brick wall for the Black Knights in net, ranking second nationally in goals against average (7.18) while Hudgins assisted in Army's defensive effort, also ranked nationally in caused turnovers per game, tied for fourth overall (2.5).
"The preseason rankings are based on what previous Army teams have accomplished, so there is not too much emphasis put on them in our program," said Alberici. "This group is hungry to earn the respect of their predecessors as well as of their opponents with tremendous effort, execution and unselfish play."
As a team, Army finished with a 6-2 overall record and a 2-0 conference record, ranked second overall before having the season cut short. The Black Knights are looking to regain their momentum in 2021, scheduled to open up the season on Feb. 13 against UMASS.
For the full list of awards, visit the Patriot League site.
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