2018 Men’s Lacrosse Year in Review: #48 Army West Point Black Knights

With the 2018 college lacrosse season complete, it’s time to start looking back at how all 71 teams did during the season, as well as what to expect from each squad for 2019.

We’ve already begun looking back to 2018 with some team recaps thus far and continued our series this week with UMBC, Providence, and Drexel.

So with that, let’s continue the recaps!

#48 Army West Point Black Knights

Conference: Patriot League
2018 Record: 5-8 (2-6 in Patriot League play)
Head coach: Joe Alberici (13th Year)

Statistical Leaders

Goals: Nate Jones (23)
Assists: Conor Glancy (11)
Points: Nate Jones (33)
Faceoffs: John Ragno (102-of-190; 53.7%)
Ground balls: Jon LaMonica (58)
Caused turnovers: Johnny Surdick (23)
Goals against average: AJ Barretto (8.16 GAA)
Save percentage: AJ Barretto (50.5%)

Personnel Losses

Key seniors departing: A Conor Glancy (18 Gs, 11 As, 31 GBs), M David Symmes (16 Gs, 7 As, 12 GBs), D Dom Ricca (25 GBs, 8 CTs), LSM Jon LaMonica (58 GBs, 18 CTs, 2 Gs, 2 As), FOGO John Ragno (53.7% faceoff draws, 39 GBs, 1 G), M Ted Glesener (8 Gs, 4 As), M Matthew Donovan (4 Gs, 2 As), M Nick Santorelli (3 Gs, 2 As)
Senior scoring departing: 84 of 189 points (44.4%)
Senior starts lost: 57 of 130 (43.8%)

Season Summary

Army’s usually a team we see compete for a Patriot League crown. It appeared the same would happen after a 3-1 start to the regular season in nonconference play, including a win against Rutgers.

But after a big win over Lafayette, the wheels began to fall off for the Black Knights. Up 6-5 against Lehigh in the third, the Mountain Hawks scored four straight goals en route to a 9-7 win. After a low-scoring 5-3 win against Holy Cross, Army lost their final six games in the season, the first five coming against Patriot League teams within four goals. They lost to Colgate by two and Bucknell by three, before losing a one-goal game to Boston University and giving up the final four goals to the Terriers and another one-goal affair to archrival Navy. The season ended with a four-goal loss to Loyola and a blowout defeat at the hands of Notre Dame. Overall, the Black Knights went 2-6 in games decided by three goals or less.

Army has always been a part of the Patriot League Tournament since it began in 2005, so missing out on the conference tournament was unknown territory for Joe Alberici and his group. Junior Nate Jones recorded 33 points for the second consecutive season while senior Conor Glancy finished his West Point career with 29 points. Sophomore Sean O’Brien started 12 games at attack and recorded 14 points. David Symmes led the midfield with 23 points as a senior with sophomores Connor DeWitt and Matt Manown, along with fellow senior Ted Glesener, recording at least 12 points.

The Black Knights had a solid defense with juniors Johnny Surdick and Griffin Schultz to go along seniors Dom Ricca and LSM Jon LaMonica. Junior goalie AJ Barretto had very similar numbers to his sophomore campaign with an 8.16 goals against average and a 50.5% save percentage.

Looking Ahead

Nearly half of the team’s scoring departs, including Symmes and Glancy. Nate Jones provides some help at attack, but the big worry is at the midfield position. After DeWitt and Manown, junior Jeremy Angle recorded five points.

The defense shouldn’t be a problem with Surdick and Schultz returning. Junior Jordan Cole could potentially be the third starter at close defense or LSM, along with classmate Danny DeSanti. With John Ragno graduating, junior Evan Condon could be taking the bulk of faceoffs next season.

Here’s who the Black Knights will be adding to their roster for next year (or in two years, since most of their recruits usually go to prep school for a year).*

*Compiled from a multitude of websites. Schools usually officially announce their recruiting class during the fall semester.