Army West Point Athletics
Seven Black Knights, Coach Alberici Honored By Patriot League
May 01, 2023 | Men's Lacrosse
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Three Army West Point men's lacrosse members and head coach Joe Alberici received individual season awards the league announced Monday afternoon.
"I am incredibly happy for and proud of our guys who were selected by the Patriot League coaches for All League and Individual awards," Alberici said. "Each one of them possesses tremendous humility and a great understanding that their distinction is directly tied to our team's success".
Evan Plunkett became the eighth Army player to take home Patriot League Rookie of the Year honors.
We have felt Evan's impact in our program since we started in August. He possess elite athleticism and a great understanding of the game. Evan is a Winner!" Head Coach Alberici said.
Plunkett has been instrumental to the Black Knights offense this season, scoring 17 goals and dishing out 20 assists. His 20 assists are ninth best in the Patriot League.
AJ Pilate earned Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year after a dominating season. The sophomore caused 15 turnovers and picked up 28 ground balls. His defense was so lockdown, teams would avoid him at times.
When asked about Pilate, Coach Alberici said: "AJ has been the heart of our defense this past season. We have asked him to cover the oppositions best player and he has continually risen to the occasion. Everyday AJ brings a competitive fire that is unmatched."
Pilate becomes the ninth Black Knight to take home this honor as he leads the No. 1 ranked defense in the country, only giving up 109 goals all season.
Knox Dent becomes the fifth Army netminder to earn the distinction of Patriot League Goaltender of the Year.
"Knox has had an incredible first season as our starter. Through his hard work and dedication to his craft he has continued to get better as our season has progressed. I am proud of how he represents the Army Lacrosse Family in every way," Alberici said.
Knox's goal-against average of 8.72 ranks second best in the nation and his save percentage of .534 ranks second best in the Patriot League.
Head Coach Joe Alberici takes home Patriot League Head Coach of the Year third time in his career. It is the fifth time (Jack Emer x2, Joe Alberici x3) an Army coach earns the distinction.
In Coach Alberici's 18 years running the show, the Black Knights have reached the Patriot League semifinals a staller 16 times, only missing the semifinals once due to the 2020 tournament being canceled due to COVID-19.
Reese Burek and Jacob Morin join those three on the All-Patriot League First Team. Burek scored 29 goals and had 22 assists this season. Morin had 27 goals and four assists this year.
Will Coletti and Christian Fournier were named to the All-Patriot League Second Team. Coletti has a new Army single season record 125 ground balls this year. Fournier has been a menace on defense all year long, causing 22 turnovers and scooping 33 ground balls.
The full list of honors can be seen below:
The Major Awards and All-League teams were voted on by the nine Patriot League head coaches who could not vote for their student-athletes or themselves.
2023 Patriot League Men's Lacrosse Offensive Player of the Year
Scott Cole, Lehigh, Jr., A, Reisterstown, Md./McDonogh
2023 Stats: 45 goals, 24 assists, 69 points, 29 ground balls
* Cole finished the regular season leading the League in goals per game (3.46) and points per game (5.31).
* Cole recorded a career-high seven points (6g, 1a) to lead the Mountain Hawks to the third seed in the Patriot League Championship.
* The junior has scored 86 goals and dished out 36 assists for 122 points to go along with 58 ground balls in his career at Lehigh.
2023 Patriot League Men's Lacrosse Defensive Player of the Year
AJ Pilate, Army West Point, So., D, Massapequa, N.Y./Massapequa
2023 Stats: 28 ground balls, 15 caused turnovers
* Pilate wrapped the regular season picking up 28 ground balls and 15 caused turnovers in 13 appearances.
* The sophomore forced three turnovers and grabbed four ground balls in the team's regular-season finale against BU.
2023 Patriot League Men's Lacrosse Faceoff Specialist of the Year
Mike Sisselberger, Lehigh, 5th., Faceoff Specialist, Center Valley, Pa./Southern Lehigh
2023 Stats: 223-of-335 at the 'X', 150 ground balls, two goals
* The fifth year has recorded a nation-leading 66.6 percent in faceoff wins (223-of-335) in 2023.
* Sisselberger, the three-time Patriot League Faceoff Specialist of the Year, averaged a League and program-leading 11.54 ground balls per game in 13 games this season.
* He was named the Patriot League Men's Lacrosse Faceoff Specialist of the Week four times this season to increase his career League record to 13.
2023 Patriot League Men's Lacrosse Goalkeeper of the Year
Knox Dent, Army West Point, Sr., GK, Denver, Colo./Cherry Creek (USMAPS)
2023 Stats: 8-3 record, 8.72 goals-against average, 101 saves, .534 save percentage
* Dent finished the regular season averaging 9.18 saves per game to go with a .534 save percentage, good for third in the League.
* His 8.72 goals against average ranks second in the League.
* The senior was named goalkeeper of the week three times this season.
2023 Patriot League Men's Lacrosse Rookie of the Year
Evan Plunkett, Army West Point, Fr., M, Roswell, Ga./Roswell
2023 Stats: 17 goals, 20 assists, 37 points, 16 ground balls, 15 caused turnovers
* Plunkett ended his first collegiate regular season with 17 goals and 20 assists for 37 points in 13 games started.
* He collected rookie weekly honors twice this season.
The William Lawson Coach of the Year
Joe Alberici, Army West Point
* Army head coach Joe Alberici led the Black Knights to a 7-1 League mark and a 10-3 overall record for his third Patriot League Coach of the Year honor.
* Alberici directed the team to a share of the 2023 Patriot League men's lacrosse regular-season title and the No. 2 seed in the championship.
* Under Alberici, the Black Knights have made the League's semifinals 16 of 18 years with one of those misses being the canceled COVID season.
2023 Patriot League Men's Lacrosse Major Awards
Offensive Player of the Year – Scott Cole, Lehigh, Jr., A
Defensive Player of the Year – AJ Pilate, Army West Point, So., D
Faceoff Specialist of the Year – Mike Sisselberger, Lehigh, 5th, FO
Goalkeeper of the Year – Knox Dent, Army West Point, Sr., GK
Rookie of the Year – Evan Plunkett, Army West Point, Fr., M
The William Lawson Coach of the Year – Joe Alberici, Army West Point
2023 Patriot League Men's Lacrosse All-Patriot League Teams
Student-athletes are listed by position, then alphabetically by school
First Team
Reese Burek, Army West Point, Jr., A
Vince D'Alto, Boston University, Sr., A
Louis Perfetto, Boston University, Sr., A
Scott Cole, Lehigh, Jr., A
Jacob Morin, Army West Point, Jr., M
Evan Plunkett, Army West Point, Fr., M
Adam Poitras, Loyola Maryland, Sr., M
Max Hewitt, Navy, Jr., M
AJ Pilate, Army West Point, So., D
Patrick Morrison, Boston University, Sr., D
Richard Checo, Lehigh, Fr., D
Jackson Bonitz, Navy, Jr., D
Mike Sisselberger, Lehigh, 5th, FO
Roy Meyer, Boston University, Sr., LSM
Payton Rezanka, Loyola Maryland, Gr., SSDM
Knox Dent, Army West Point, Sr., GK
Second Team*
Timmy Ley, Boston University, Sr., A
Dutch Furlong, Bucknell, Jr., A
Peter Lehman, Lafayette, So., A
Christian Mule, Lehigh, Sr., A
Tommy Bourque, Boston University, Jr., M
Thomas Niedringhaus, Boston University, Sr., M
Will Hopkins, Bucknell, Fr., M
John Sidorski, Lehigh, Sr., M
Hank Bethel, Bucknell, Sr., D
Andrew Stanzel, Bucknell, Sr., D
Donny Gayhardt, Colgate, Sr., D
Sean Rushton, Lafayette, Sr., D
Matt Hughes, Loyola Maryland, Gr., D
Will Coletti, Army West Point, So., FO
Christian Fournier, Army West Point, So., LSM
Jackson Peters, Navy, Jr., SSDM
Pat Ryan, Navy, Sr., GK
* Due to a tie, there are five defenders on the second team.
"I am incredibly happy for and proud of our guys who were selected by the Patriot League coaches for All League and Individual awards," Alberici said. "Each one of them possesses tremendous humility and a great understanding that their distinction is directly tied to our team's success".
Evan Plunkett became the eighth Army player to take home Patriot League Rookie of the Year honors.
We have felt Evan's impact in our program since we started in August. He possess elite athleticism and a great understanding of the game. Evan is a Winner!" Head Coach Alberici said.
Plunkett has been instrumental to the Black Knights offense this season, scoring 17 goals and dishing out 20 assists. His 20 assists are ninth best in the Patriot League.
AJ Pilate earned Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year after a dominating season. The sophomore caused 15 turnovers and picked up 28 ground balls. His defense was so lockdown, teams would avoid him at times.
When asked about Pilate, Coach Alberici said: "AJ has been the heart of our defense this past season. We have asked him to cover the oppositions best player and he has continually risen to the occasion. Everyday AJ brings a competitive fire that is unmatched."
Pilate becomes the ninth Black Knight to take home this honor as he leads the No. 1 ranked defense in the country, only giving up 109 goals all season.
Knox Dent becomes the fifth Army netminder to earn the distinction of Patriot League Goaltender of the Year.
"Knox has had an incredible first season as our starter. Through his hard work and dedication to his craft he has continued to get better as our season has progressed. I am proud of how he represents the Army Lacrosse Family in every way," Alberici said.
Knox's goal-against average of 8.72 ranks second best in the nation and his save percentage of .534 ranks second best in the Patriot League.
Head Coach Joe Alberici takes home Patriot League Head Coach of the Year third time in his career. It is the fifth time (Jack Emer x2, Joe Alberici x3) an Army coach earns the distinction.
In Coach Alberici's 18 years running the show, the Black Knights have reached the Patriot League semifinals a staller 16 times, only missing the semifinals once due to the 2020 tournament being canceled due to COVID-19.
Reese Burek and Jacob Morin join those three on the All-Patriot League First Team. Burek scored 29 goals and had 22 assists this season. Morin had 27 goals and four assists this year.
Will Coletti and Christian Fournier were named to the All-Patriot League Second Team. Coletti has a new Army single season record 125 ground balls this year. Fournier has been a menace on defense all year long, causing 22 turnovers and scooping 33 ground balls.
The full list of honors can be seen below:
The Major Awards and All-League teams were voted on by the nine Patriot League head coaches who could not vote for their student-athletes or themselves.
2023 Patriot League Men's Lacrosse Offensive Player of the Year
Scott Cole, Lehigh, Jr., A, Reisterstown, Md./McDonogh
2023 Stats: 45 goals, 24 assists, 69 points, 29 ground balls
* Cole finished the regular season leading the League in goals per game (3.46) and points per game (5.31).
* Cole recorded a career-high seven points (6g, 1a) to lead the Mountain Hawks to the third seed in the Patriot League Championship.
* The junior has scored 86 goals and dished out 36 assists for 122 points to go along with 58 ground balls in his career at Lehigh.
2023 Patriot League Men's Lacrosse Defensive Player of the Year
AJ Pilate, Army West Point, So., D, Massapequa, N.Y./Massapequa
2023 Stats: 28 ground balls, 15 caused turnovers
* Pilate wrapped the regular season picking up 28 ground balls and 15 caused turnovers in 13 appearances.
* The sophomore forced three turnovers and grabbed four ground balls in the team's regular-season finale against BU.
2023 Patriot League Men's Lacrosse Faceoff Specialist of the Year
Mike Sisselberger, Lehigh, 5th., Faceoff Specialist, Center Valley, Pa./Southern Lehigh
2023 Stats: 223-of-335 at the 'X', 150 ground balls, two goals
* The fifth year has recorded a nation-leading 66.6 percent in faceoff wins (223-of-335) in 2023.
* Sisselberger, the three-time Patriot League Faceoff Specialist of the Year, averaged a League and program-leading 11.54 ground balls per game in 13 games this season.
* He was named the Patriot League Men's Lacrosse Faceoff Specialist of the Week four times this season to increase his career League record to 13.
2023 Patriot League Men's Lacrosse Goalkeeper of the Year
Knox Dent, Army West Point, Sr., GK, Denver, Colo./Cherry Creek (USMAPS)
2023 Stats: 8-3 record, 8.72 goals-against average, 101 saves, .534 save percentage
* Dent finished the regular season averaging 9.18 saves per game to go with a .534 save percentage, good for third in the League.
* His 8.72 goals against average ranks second in the League.
* The senior was named goalkeeper of the week three times this season.
2023 Patriot League Men's Lacrosse Rookie of the Year
Evan Plunkett, Army West Point, Fr., M, Roswell, Ga./Roswell
2023 Stats: 17 goals, 20 assists, 37 points, 16 ground balls, 15 caused turnovers
* Plunkett ended his first collegiate regular season with 17 goals and 20 assists for 37 points in 13 games started.
* He collected rookie weekly honors twice this season.
The William Lawson Coach of the Year
Joe Alberici, Army West Point
* Army head coach Joe Alberici led the Black Knights to a 7-1 League mark and a 10-3 overall record for his third Patriot League Coach of the Year honor.
* Alberici directed the team to a share of the 2023 Patriot League men's lacrosse regular-season title and the No. 2 seed in the championship.
* Under Alberici, the Black Knights have made the League's semifinals 16 of 18 years with one of those misses being the canceled COVID season.
2023 Patriot League Men's Lacrosse Major Awards
Offensive Player of the Year – Scott Cole, Lehigh, Jr., A
Defensive Player of the Year – AJ Pilate, Army West Point, So., D
Faceoff Specialist of the Year – Mike Sisselberger, Lehigh, 5th, FO
Goalkeeper of the Year – Knox Dent, Army West Point, Sr., GK
Rookie of the Year – Evan Plunkett, Army West Point, Fr., M
The William Lawson Coach of the Year – Joe Alberici, Army West Point
2023 Patriot League Men's Lacrosse All-Patriot League Teams
Student-athletes are listed by position, then alphabetically by school
First Team
Reese Burek, Army West Point, Jr., A
Vince D'Alto, Boston University, Sr., A
Louis Perfetto, Boston University, Sr., A
Scott Cole, Lehigh, Jr., A
Jacob Morin, Army West Point, Jr., M
Evan Plunkett, Army West Point, Fr., M
Adam Poitras, Loyola Maryland, Sr., M
Max Hewitt, Navy, Jr., M
AJ Pilate, Army West Point, So., D
Patrick Morrison, Boston University, Sr., D
Richard Checo, Lehigh, Fr., D
Jackson Bonitz, Navy, Jr., D
Mike Sisselberger, Lehigh, 5th, FO
Roy Meyer, Boston University, Sr., LSM
Payton Rezanka, Loyola Maryland, Gr., SSDM
Knox Dent, Army West Point, Sr., GK
Second Team*
Timmy Ley, Boston University, Sr., A
Dutch Furlong, Bucknell, Jr., A
Peter Lehman, Lafayette, So., A
Christian Mule, Lehigh, Sr., A
Tommy Bourque, Boston University, Jr., M
Thomas Niedringhaus, Boston University, Sr., M
Will Hopkins, Bucknell, Fr., M
John Sidorski, Lehigh, Sr., M
Hank Bethel, Bucknell, Sr., D
Andrew Stanzel, Bucknell, Sr., D
Donny Gayhardt, Colgate, Sr., D
Sean Rushton, Lafayette, Sr., D
Matt Hughes, Loyola Maryland, Gr., D
Will Coletti, Army West Point, So., FO
Christian Fournier, Army West Point, So., LSM
Jackson Peters, Navy, Jr., SSDM
Pat Ryan, Navy, Sr., GK
* Due to a tie, there are five defenders on the second team.
Players Mentioned
M
/ Men's Lacrosse
FO
/ Men's Lacrosse
LSM
/ Men's Lacrosse
M
/ Men's Lacrosse
M
/ Men's LacrosseThis Week in Army Football: Navy
Tuesday, December 09
Army at UTSA Game Highlights
Sunday, November 30
This Week in Army Football: UTSA
Tuesday, November 25
This Week in Army Football: Tulsa
Tuesday, November 18