PISCATAWAY, N.J. — No. 12 Army West Point men’s lacrosse (1-0) heads back on the road Saturday for an early-season ranked test, visiting No. 18 Rutgers (1-0) in New Jersey. First faceoff is set for 3 p.m. ET.
Army enters the matchup coming off a statement opening-week win, while Rutgers looks to build on its own 1-0 start. With both teams ranked and still settling into new-season roles, Saturday’s game reads like a February measuring stick — pace, faceoffs, and goalie play should decide the margins.
Last time out: Army opens with a complete 14-8 win
Army launched its 2026 campaign with a 14-8 victory over Massachusetts at West Point, spreading production across the lineup and controlling the possession game.
Sophomore Hill Plunkett powered the offense with a career-high five goals as eight Black Knights found the net. Freshman Gus Bell and sophomore Brayden Fountain added two goals apiece, helping Army build separation as the game wore on.
In goal, senior Sean Byrne delivered a steady opener with 11 saves, anchoring a defensive effort that held up through UMass pushes.
The Black Knights also won the statistical battle that tends to travel: 29 shots on goal, 16 faceoff wins, and 28 ground balls — numbers that reflect Army’s ability to dictate tempo and stack possessions.
What a win would mean
A Saturday win would:
- Mark Army’s 65th victory over Rutgers (Army last beat Rutgers 9-3 in early 2025)
- Give the Black Knights a 2-0 start for the third straight season (and the fifth time in the last 10 years)
- Extend the Army West Point’s recent edge in the series, where the Black Knights hold a 7-3 advantage over the last 10 meetings
Black Knight News:
- Army Men’s Ice Hockey Rolls Past RIT 6–2 at Tate Rink, Powers Up 3-for-4
- #21 Army Women’s Lacrosse Opens 2026 With Statement Road Win at Rutgers
- Army Softball Falls to Indiana in Game 2 at FAU Paradise Classic
Game notes to know
Patriot League weekly honors
Army’s opener produced a clean sweep of Patriot League weekly recognition:
- Hill Plunkett — Offensive Player of the Week
- Sean Byrne — Goalkeeper of the Week
- Gus Bell — Rookie of the Week
Eyes on the all-time lists
Two Black Knights enter Saturday already climbing Army’s historical scoring charts:
- Gunnar Fellows — 114 career points (32nd all-time)
- Evan Plunkett — 125 career points (27th all-time)
Evan Plunkett also has 61 career assists, placing him 18th on Army’s all-time assists list.
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Young roster, fast growth curve
Army’s 2026 roster is built on underclassmen: 19 freshmen and 17 sophomores, meaning 63% of the squad is made up of first- and second-year players. The Black Knights’ 19 freshmen are the most in the Patriot League, and Army is currently the second-youngest team in the league.
Rankings hold through Week 1
Army opened the season ranked No. 12 (USILA Coaches and Nike Media) and No. 14 (USA Lacrosse). With weather impacting schedules across the country, those preseason rankings held through the first week.
Notable Knights
- Hill Plunkett (A): Seven-point opener highlighted by a career-high five goals vs. UMass.
- Sean Byrne (G): 11 saves in his first 2026 start; it was his 14th career game with 10+ saves.
- Gus Bell (A): Three points (2G, 1A) in his first collegiate game.
- Brayden Fountain (A): Three points (2G, 1A) as Army’s secondary scoring continued to show depth.
Where to watch
- Stream: Rutgers Athletics Facebook page
- Live stats: Available via Rutgers
What to watch (keys)
- Possession battle: Army’s faceoff and ground-ball edge vs. UMass is the blueprint; repeating it on the road changes the game.
- Early composure: Rutgers will look to feed off home energy; Army’s young roster has to stay clean in the first quarter.
- Goalie play: Byrne’s opener set a high bar — saves on early Rutgers looks could swing momentum.
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