Army West Point Athletics
Men's Lacrosse
- Title:
- Assistant Men's Lacrosse Coach
- Email:
- justin.ward@westpoint.edu
- Phone:
- 5188
Justin Ward, a former two-time USILA All-American attackman and National Champion at Loyola University Maryland, enters his seventh season on the Army West Point coaching staff after joining in July 2017. Elevated to Offensive Coordinator in 2020 and named Recruiting Coordinator in 2021, Ward has played a crucial role in shaping the Black Knights’ high-powered offense.
The 2024 season saw Army continue its offensive success, finishing with an 11-3 overall record, including a dramatic overtime victory over No. 7 Syracuse. The Black Knights achieved a historic milestone, earning the program’s first-ever No. 1 national ranking for a two-week stretch. Army captured the Patriot League regular-season title, and Head Coach Joe Alberici was named Patriot League Coach of the Year for the fourth time. Ward’s offense produced four Inside Lacrosse and USILA All-Americans—attackman Jacob Morin, midfielders Evan Plunkett and Will Coletti. Plunkett was named Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year, while Coletti earned Faceoff Specialist of the Year honors.
In 2023, Ward’s offense averaged 12.82 goals per game, featuring a balanced attack with five players registering at least 20 goals. The Black Knights reached double-digit outputs in 15 of their 17 games, led by three USILA All-Americans—attackman Reese Burek and midfielders Jacob Morin and Evan Plunkett. Under Ward’s guidance, Plunkett earned Patriot League Rookie of the Year honors with an impressive 21-goal, 25-assist freshman campaign.
The 2022 Black Knights featured one of the most potent offenses in the nation, averaging 14.06 goals per game, ranking 12th nationally and first in the Patriot League. The unit, known for its unselfish play, finished 15th nationally in points per game (21.81) and tied for 15th in turnovers per game (15.0). The 2022 offense was led by Tewaaraton Finalist and Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year Brendan Nichtern, USILA Honorable Mention Midfielder Bobby Abshire, and All-Patriot League Midfielder Jacob Morin. That season, Army set an Academy record with 225 goals, reaching double-digit scoring in every game and surpassing 13 goals in 11 contests.
Ward mentored Nichtern to a record-setting campaign in 2022, where he became a First Team All-American and a Tewaaraton Finalist. Nichtern’s 101-point season (60 assists, both single-season Army records) led the nation in points per game (6.31) and assists per game (3.75). He went on to be the ninth overall selection in the PLL Draft and later earned PLL Rookie of the Year honors.
Since taking over as Offensive Coordinator in 2020, Ward has implemented an efficient and dynamic offensive system. In the shortened 2020 season, Army averaged 13.75 goals per game (third-best in the league, 19th nationally), with a .336 shooting percentage (15th nationally) and 23.13 points per game (14th nationally). That unit opened the season with a dominant 3-0 start, scoring 17 goals against No. 18 UMass, 19 against NJIT, and 15 against No. 19 Rutgers.
Before Army, Ward began his coaching career at Georgetown University under Head Coach Kevin Warne from 2015 to 2017. He was elevated to Offensive Coordinator in 2017 and mentored future All-Americans Dan Bucaro, Jake Carraway, and Peter Conley. His extra-man offense ranked among the nation’s best, converting at 44.2% in 2016. He also played a key role in developing Big East Freshman of the Year Dan Bucaro and All-Big East performers across multiple positions.
Following his collegiate career, Ward played professionally for Major League Lacrosse’s (MLL) Charlotte Hounds, leading the team in points (12 goals, 21 assists) and finishing third in Rookie of the Year voting.
A two-time All-American and 2012 National Champion at Loyola, Ward finished as the program’s all-time assist leader and sixth in career points. In 2014, he set the school’s single-season assist record (53) while earning USILA Second Team All-America, Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year, and First Team All-Patriot League honors. That same season, he set the Patriot League record for assists in a single season.
Ward earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration with a concentration in finance in 2014. Excelling academically, he was a 2014 USILA Academic All-American, a member of the Patriot League All-Academic Team, and an ECAC All-Academic Team selection.
Justin and his wife, Carlianne, reside in White Plains, NY, with their daughter, Hudson.
