Army West Point Athletics
Eicher, Pilate, Byrne Earn Patriot League Postseason Accolades, Men’s Lacrosse Lands Nine on All-Patriot League Teams
April 28, 2025 | Men's Lacrosse
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – No. 4 Army West Point men's lacrosse (12-1, 7-1 Patriot League) has been a dominant force this season and the Black Knights were dominant once again in the Patriot League's postseason awards. Jackson Eicher earned Patriot League Player of the Year, AJ Pilate earned Defensive Player of the Year, and Sean Byrne earned Goalkeeper of the Year. Eicher, Pilate, and Byrne were joined on the First Team All-League by Evan Plunkett, Hill Plunkett, Christian Fournier, and Christian Mazur. John Sullivan and Will Coletti represented the Black Knights on the Second Team All-League.
Army led the way with a league-high nine total Black Knights earning a place on the two All-League teams.
"We are incredibly proud of and pleased for all nine of our players who earned recognition for their individual performances," said Jack Emmer Head Coach Joe Alberici. "What I know as a fact is if you were to go down the list and ask them, each one of those guys would credit all of their teammates for putting them in position to be successful. There is a culture of selflessness that permeates the Army Lacrosse Family and each one of these young men embodies that value."
Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year / First Team All-Patriot League
Jackson Eicher, Senior Attack | Warrenton, Va.
Eicher earns his first First Team All-League recognition and the 2025 Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year title after being named to the All-Patriot League Second Team in 2024. Starting all 13 games for Army this season, Eicher has been an explosive force for Army's offense as he leads the team in goals (51), assists (29), and points (79). As one of only two players in the nation to clear the 50-goal threshold this season, Eicher leads the league in goals per game (3.92) and points per game (6.08) and stands second in the nation in both categories. His 141 career points rank him 19th in program history while his 92 career goals are the 18th most by an Army player. Eicher's spectacular senior campaign ranks him fourth in Army history for points in a single season, 19th in Army history for assists in a single season, and Eicher stands tied for the program record for goals in a single season heading into the postseason. Eicher was a three-time Patriot League Offensive Player of the Week selection this season and earned a spot on this season's Tewaaraton Top-25 finalist list for his efforts as the season progressed.
Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year / First Team All-Patriot League
AJ Pilate, Senior Defense | Massapequa, N.Y.
AJ Pilate earns his third consecutive Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year title and his fourth consecutive selection to the All-Patriot League teams following an impressive senior campaign. A 2025 Tewaaraton Award Top-25 finalist, Pilate becomes only the second player in Patriot League history to earn the award three times in his career. A three-time Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week this season, Pilate has been a keystone in the best defense in the nation, guiding Army to a nation-leading 6.85 scoring defense mark, a nation-leading 7.46 scoring margin, and a tied-for-best-in-the-nation .923 win percentage in the Black Knights' 108th season. Army's defense held its opponents to just 89 goals over the season, causing 131 turnovers from its opponents to dominate control of the ball. Pilate himself totaled 38 ground balls and 17 caused turnovers as well as adding a goal and three assists to his tally to help the Black Knights to their fifth 12-win season in the last decade.
Patriot League Goalkeeper of the Year / First Team All-Patriot League
Sean Byrne, Junior Goalkeeper | Acworth, Ga.
Sean Byrne has been a pillar of strength in Army's goal this season, earning Patriot League Goalkeeper of the Year and First Team All-Patriot League honors after a standout junior season. A two-time Patriot League Goalkeeper of the Week selection this season, Byrne has steadily led the nation in both save percentage (.633) and goals-against average (6.77). With Byrne's steadying presence at their backs, the Black Knights outscored their opponents 186-89 over 13 games to earn the top spot as the nation's leading scoring defense (6.85) with the nation's best scoring margin (7.46). Byrne himself totaled 136 saves this season with an NCAA-best 79 goals allowed during his time in goal. A 2025 Tewaaraton Award Top-25 finalist, Byrne's steadiness in goal helped the Black Knights tally their fifth 12-win season in the last ten years with their second 7-0 start to the season since 1958.
First Team All-Patriot League
Evan Plunkett, Junior Midfielder | Roswell, Ga.
The 2023 Patriot League Rookie of the Year and 2024 Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year, Evan Plunkett, earned his third consecutive First Team All-Patriot League selection after an impressive 2025 campaign in Army's midfield. One of Army's regular starting midfielders, Plunkett recorded a team-fourth 14 goals, a tied-for-team-fourth 14 assists, and a tied-for-team-fourth 28 points this season to help the Black Knights to their 12-win season. A 2025 Tewaaraton Award Top-25 finalist, Plunkett was a force for the Black Knights, helping Army's offense outscore its opponents 186-89 over the season.
First Team All-Patriot League
Hill Plunkett, Freshman Midfielder | Roswell, Ga.
Freshman Hill Plunkett stepped up in a big way over his freshman season with Army. His vision on the field helped him earn a spot in the starting lineup and to deal out a team-second 16 assists over the season. Plunkett is a shooter in his own right, recording a team-fourth 14 goals this season towards a tied-for-team-fourth 28 points in his first collegiate season with two game winning goals to his tally. With Plunkett's input, Army has totaled 296 points to its opponents' 145.
First Team All-Patriot League
Christian Fournier, Senior Long-stick Midfielder | Austin, Texas
Christian Fournier has been a cornerstone of Army's midfield throughout the 2025 season. One of Army's primary long-stick midfielders, Fournier has been a menace in the midfield for Amy this season as he totaled a team-high 32 caused turnovers. He earned a season-high five caused turnovers against Lafayette and Holy Cross en route to a 2.67 caused turnovers per game average – a mark that ranks him third in the nation. With his help, the Black Knights have totaled 131 caused turnovers this season to their opponents' 97 with 454 ground balls to their opponents' 357 – 48 of which are credited to Fournier with a season-high seven against Lafayette.
First Team All-Patriot League
Christian Mazur, Senior Defensive Midfielder | Media, Pa.
Christian Mazur was a key piece in Army's defense this season, earning his first All-Patriot League selection as he was named to the First Team All-Patriot League. Mazur was aggressive on both sides of the ball, picking up 16 ground balls and 11 caused turnovers while also scoring a career-best six points from career highs of two goals and four assists. With Mazur's influence in the midfield, the Black Knights outperformed their opponents in ground balls, caused turnovers, goals, assists, and points as well as going 294-of-332 clears compared to their foes' 268 of 319 mark as they worked their way to their fifth 12-win season in the past ten years.
Second Team All-Patriot League
John Sullivan, Junior Defense | Nashua, N.H.
John Sullivan has been a looming presence in Army's defense this season to help the Black Knights become the nation's leading defense. Starting in all 13 of Army's game this season, Sullivan totaled 23 ground balls and nine caused turnovers in his junior campaign. With Sullivan's six-foot, three-inch frame hindering opposing offenses, the Black Knights held their opponents to just 89 goals this season with only 56 assists against Army. Sulivan's input helped Army total 454 ground balls and 131 caused turnovers compared to their opponents' 357 and 97 respectively.
Second Team All-Patriot League
Will Coletti, Senior Faceoff Specialist | Monrovia, Md.
A two-time All-Patriot League selection, Will Coletti earns Second Team All-Patriot League honors after an impressive senior season. Despite missing four games in the middle of the season due to injury, Coletti boasts the second-highest faceoff percentage (.628) in the league with 98 of 156 faceoffs won this season. Coletti tied the Patriot League record for career faceoffs won as his 19 faceoff wins against Bucknell on Senior Day cleared the previous record of 742 set by Lehigh's Mike Sisselberger – totaling 762 career faceoffs won by the end of the regular season. Coletti was a driving force in Army's ground game, picking up a team-high 58 ground balls for a league-second 6.44 ground balls per game.
UP NEXT
The Black Knights will begin their 2025 postseason quest on Friday, May 2nd as they host the semifinal rounds of the 2025 Patriot League tournament. Army will face the lowest remaining seed after the quarterfinal rounds at 4:00 p.m. ET in Michie Stadium. Fans can catch both semifinal games and the Championship on CBS Sports Network.
Army led the way with a league-high nine total Black Knights earning a place on the two All-League teams.
"We are incredibly proud of and pleased for all nine of our players who earned recognition for their individual performances," said Jack Emmer Head Coach Joe Alberici. "What I know as a fact is if you were to go down the list and ask them, each one of those guys would credit all of their teammates for putting them in position to be successful. There is a culture of selflessness that permeates the Army Lacrosse Family and each one of these young men embodies that value."
Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year / First Team All-Patriot League
Jackson Eicher, Senior Attack | Warrenton, Va.
Eicher earns his first First Team All-League recognition and the 2025 Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year title after being named to the All-Patriot League Second Team in 2024. Starting all 13 games for Army this season, Eicher has been an explosive force for Army's offense as he leads the team in goals (51), assists (29), and points (79). As one of only two players in the nation to clear the 50-goal threshold this season, Eicher leads the league in goals per game (3.92) and points per game (6.08) and stands second in the nation in both categories. His 141 career points rank him 19th in program history while his 92 career goals are the 18th most by an Army player. Eicher's spectacular senior campaign ranks him fourth in Army history for points in a single season, 19th in Army history for assists in a single season, and Eicher stands tied for the program record for goals in a single season heading into the postseason. Eicher was a three-time Patriot League Offensive Player of the Week selection this season and earned a spot on this season's Tewaaraton Top-25 finalist list for his efforts as the season progressed.
Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year / First Team All-Patriot League
AJ Pilate, Senior Defense | Massapequa, N.Y.
AJ Pilate earns his third consecutive Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year title and his fourth consecutive selection to the All-Patriot League teams following an impressive senior campaign. A 2025 Tewaaraton Award Top-25 finalist, Pilate becomes only the second player in Patriot League history to earn the award three times in his career. A three-time Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week this season, Pilate has been a keystone in the best defense in the nation, guiding Army to a nation-leading 6.85 scoring defense mark, a nation-leading 7.46 scoring margin, and a tied-for-best-in-the-nation .923 win percentage in the Black Knights' 108th season. Army's defense held its opponents to just 89 goals over the season, causing 131 turnovers from its opponents to dominate control of the ball. Pilate himself totaled 38 ground balls and 17 caused turnovers as well as adding a goal and three assists to his tally to help the Black Knights to their fifth 12-win season in the last decade.
Patriot League Goalkeeper of the Year / First Team All-Patriot League
Sean Byrne, Junior Goalkeeper | Acworth, Ga.
Sean Byrne has been a pillar of strength in Army's goal this season, earning Patriot League Goalkeeper of the Year and First Team All-Patriot League honors after a standout junior season. A two-time Patriot League Goalkeeper of the Week selection this season, Byrne has steadily led the nation in both save percentage (.633) and goals-against average (6.77). With Byrne's steadying presence at their backs, the Black Knights outscored their opponents 186-89 over 13 games to earn the top spot as the nation's leading scoring defense (6.85) with the nation's best scoring margin (7.46). Byrne himself totaled 136 saves this season with an NCAA-best 79 goals allowed during his time in goal. A 2025 Tewaaraton Award Top-25 finalist, Byrne's steadiness in goal helped the Black Knights tally their fifth 12-win season in the last ten years with their second 7-0 start to the season since 1958.
First Team All-Patriot League
Evan Plunkett, Junior Midfielder | Roswell, Ga.
The 2023 Patriot League Rookie of the Year and 2024 Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year, Evan Plunkett, earned his third consecutive First Team All-Patriot League selection after an impressive 2025 campaign in Army's midfield. One of Army's regular starting midfielders, Plunkett recorded a team-fourth 14 goals, a tied-for-team-fourth 14 assists, and a tied-for-team-fourth 28 points this season to help the Black Knights to their 12-win season. A 2025 Tewaaraton Award Top-25 finalist, Plunkett was a force for the Black Knights, helping Army's offense outscore its opponents 186-89 over the season.
First Team All-Patriot League
Hill Plunkett, Freshman Midfielder | Roswell, Ga.
Freshman Hill Plunkett stepped up in a big way over his freshman season with Army. His vision on the field helped him earn a spot in the starting lineup and to deal out a team-second 16 assists over the season. Plunkett is a shooter in his own right, recording a team-fourth 14 goals this season towards a tied-for-team-fourth 28 points in his first collegiate season with two game winning goals to his tally. With Plunkett's input, Army has totaled 296 points to its opponents' 145.
First Team All-Patriot League
Christian Fournier, Senior Long-stick Midfielder | Austin, Texas
Christian Fournier has been a cornerstone of Army's midfield throughout the 2025 season. One of Army's primary long-stick midfielders, Fournier has been a menace in the midfield for Amy this season as he totaled a team-high 32 caused turnovers. He earned a season-high five caused turnovers against Lafayette and Holy Cross en route to a 2.67 caused turnovers per game average – a mark that ranks him third in the nation. With his help, the Black Knights have totaled 131 caused turnovers this season to their opponents' 97 with 454 ground balls to their opponents' 357 – 48 of which are credited to Fournier with a season-high seven against Lafayette.
First Team All-Patriot League
Christian Mazur, Senior Defensive Midfielder | Media, Pa.
Christian Mazur was a key piece in Army's defense this season, earning his first All-Patriot League selection as he was named to the First Team All-Patriot League. Mazur was aggressive on both sides of the ball, picking up 16 ground balls and 11 caused turnovers while also scoring a career-best six points from career highs of two goals and four assists. With Mazur's influence in the midfield, the Black Knights outperformed their opponents in ground balls, caused turnovers, goals, assists, and points as well as going 294-of-332 clears compared to their foes' 268 of 319 mark as they worked their way to their fifth 12-win season in the past ten years.
Second Team All-Patriot League
John Sullivan, Junior Defense | Nashua, N.H.
John Sullivan has been a looming presence in Army's defense this season to help the Black Knights become the nation's leading defense. Starting in all 13 of Army's game this season, Sullivan totaled 23 ground balls and nine caused turnovers in his junior campaign. With Sullivan's six-foot, three-inch frame hindering opposing offenses, the Black Knights held their opponents to just 89 goals this season with only 56 assists against Army. Sulivan's input helped Army total 454 ground balls and 131 caused turnovers compared to their opponents' 357 and 97 respectively.
Second Team All-Patriot League
Will Coletti, Senior Faceoff Specialist | Monrovia, Md.
A two-time All-Patriot League selection, Will Coletti earns Second Team All-Patriot League honors after an impressive senior season. Despite missing four games in the middle of the season due to injury, Coletti boasts the second-highest faceoff percentage (.628) in the league with 98 of 156 faceoffs won this season. Coletti tied the Patriot League record for career faceoffs won as his 19 faceoff wins against Bucknell on Senior Day cleared the previous record of 742 set by Lehigh's Mike Sisselberger – totaling 762 career faceoffs won by the end of the regular season. Coletti was a driving force in Army's ground game, picking up a team-high 58 ground balls for a league-second 6.44 ground balls per game.
UP NEXT
The Black Knights will begin their 2025 postseason quest on Friday, May 2nd as they host the semifinal rounds of the 2025 Patriot League tournament. Army will face the lowest remaining seed after the quarterfinal rounds at 4:00 p.m. ET in Michie Stadium. Fans can catch both semifinal games and the Championship on CBS Sports Network.
Players Mentioned
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