PISCATAWAY, N.J. — If the country needed a reminder that Army’s ceiling is higher than the number next to its name, the Black Knights delivered it Friday night.
No. 21 Army West Point opened its 2026 season opener with a road win, outlasting Rutgers 19–14 at the Busch Bubble. The Black Knights turned a first-quarter deficit into a four-quarter offensive surge behind a star turn from Brigid Duffy — a Team USA selection who played like one of the sport’s most dangerous two-way midfielders.
Army improved to 1–0, while Rutgers dropped to 0–1.
A milestone night for Michelle Tumolo
Friday’s win carried extra meaning on the Army sideline.
With the Black Knights’ 19–14 decision at Rutgers, Army West Point head coach Michelle Tumolo earned her 50th career win at Army, another marker of how quickly the program has climbed under her leadership.
Tumolo has built Army into a team that can travel, absorb a punch, and still dictate the terms of a game — exactly what Friday looked like after a 5–2 first quarter. The pieces are in place, the national profile is rising, and with a roster that can score in waves, the future continues to look bright in West Point.
Duffy’s Team USA moment — and why it matters
Duffy’s five-goal night was the headline, but the bigger story is what she represents.
Named to Team USA this preseason, Duffy became the first cadet in Army West Point women’s lacrosse history to earn the honor of representing the United States at the national team level — a milestone the program celebrated in January when her selection was announced: Army’s Brigid Duffy Makes History With U.S. Women’s National Lacrosse Team Selection.
It’s not just a line on a résumé. At West Point, where every day is built around standards, accountability, and service, earning the chance to wear USA across your chest is a rare kind of validation — proof that a cadet-athlete can meet the demands of the Academy and still rise into the highest tier of the sport.
On Friday, she looked the part.
Duffy finished with five goals and one assist, consistently creating separation in space, attacking downhill, and cashing in when Rutgers tried to slow the game with fouls. She also drew attention that opened lanes for Army’s finishers around her — the kind of gravity that changes how opponents have to defend.
If Army’s preseason ranking felt light, Duffy’s opening statement didn’t.
Duffy, Valentini set the tone as Army flips the game
Rutgers came out hot, putting Army in an early hole with a 5–2 first quarter. From there, the Black Knights settled in and started to impose their pace.
Army’s second quarter was the turning point: a 7-goal burst that swung the game and put Rutgers on its heels. By halftime, Army had flipped the script and carried a 9–8 lead into the break.
The Black Knights never gave it back.
Lily Valentini matched Duffy with five goals, while Ryan Remaly poured in four. Allison Reilly added three goals and two assists, and Thais Jackson chipped in two goals and one assist as Army’s attack stayed balanced and relentless.
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Quarter-by-quarter: Army’s offense keeps climbing
Army’s scoring climbed every period after the opening quarter:
- 1st: Rutgers 5, Army 2
- 2nd: Army 7, Rutgers 3
- 3rd: Army 4, Rutgers 1
- 4th: Army 6, Rutgers 5
That third-quarter stretch was especially decisive. Army held Rutgers to one goal in the frame and built separation that made Rutgers’ late push too steep.
Numbers that mattered
Army outshot Rutgers 39–31 and put consistent pressure on the goal, finishing with 20 ground balls to Rutgers’ 19.
Rutgers controlled more draws (10–6) and generated opportunities at the stripe, but Army’s ability to finish possessions — and force mistakes — tilted the game.
Rutgers committed 20 turnovers to Army’s 15, and Army made those extra possessions count.
In goal, Lindsey Serafine earned the win with six saves.
Rutgers’ Ling answers, but Army has the last word
Rutgers was led by Caroline Ling, who scored five goals, including a pair of man-up finishes and a late goal in the final seconds. Lily Dixon added two goals and three assists, while Kate Theofield scored two.
But every time Rutgers threatened, Army answered — and the answers came fast.
Final: Army 19, Rutgers 14
Army scoring leaders
- Brigid Duffy: 5G, 1A
- Lily Valentini: 5G, 2A
- Ryan Remaly: 4G
- Allison Reilly: 3G, 2A
- Thais Jackson: 2G, 1A
Rutgers scoring leaders
- Caroline Ling: 5G
- Kate Theofield: 2G
- Lily Dixon: 2G, 3A
- Annalise Messina: 2G
What’s next
Army continues its early-season run with a home date against Marist on February 10, before a major road test at Northwestern on February 14.
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