By: J.J. Pavlick | Pawtucket, RI | May 15, 2026 |
Pawtucket, R.I.—Carolina’s win over Boston on Saturday night didn’t just belong to the Chaos—it belonged to Army West Point. Between Jackson Eicher and Brendan Nichtern, the Chaos got seven goals and one assist from two former Black Knights in a 14–10 victory that turned into a showcase of West Point firepower.
Eicher, Class of 2025 and a former Tewaaraton top‑five finalist, delivered four goals on eight shots, including a fourth‑quarter strike that helped Carolina pull away for good.
Nichtern, Class of 2022 and one of the most prolific players in Army history, added three goals and an assist, carving up Boston’s defense with the same precision he showed throughout his college career.
The pair accounted for half of Carolina’s scoring and controlled the game’s biggest moments; the two are used to leading men to victory, and that’s just what these two Black Knights did tonight in Rhode Island.
Fournier’s Tough Night
On the opposite sideline, another former Black Knight had a far different experience. Christian Fournier — Eicher’s former teammate and fellow 2025 graduate — played just one shift for Boston. Now attending medical school at McGovern at UTHealth Houston, Fournier’s lone possession ended in a turnover that directly led to Carolina’s opening goal. Boston shortened its bench immediately, and Fournier did not return.
Chaos Close Strong After Mackesy’s Heroics
Boston’s CJ Mackesy kept the Cannons in it with six points, including a two‑pointer that tied the game at 10–10 with 10:35 remaining. It was Boston’s last surge.
Carolina answered with four straight goals:
- Shane Knobloch at 9:20
- Tucker Malone at 7:06
- Eicher’s fourth at 3:54
- Knobloch again at 3:20
The run shut the door on Boston’s comeback and highlighted Carolina’s ability to finish when the game tightened.
Riorden Stands Tall, Tucci Controls the X
Carolina goalie Blaze Riorden stopped eight shots at a 66.7% clip, including several momentum‑killers in tight. Boston’s Zach Tucci dominated the faceoff X, winning 17 of 25 with nine ground balls, but the Cannons couldn’t convert possession into goals. They shot just 19.5% on 41 attempts, while Carolina finished at 38.2%.
Nichtern, Knobloch, and the Chaos Engine
Nichtern’s three goals and one assist gave Carolina a second reliable scoring threat behind Eicher. Knobloch added two goals, and Carolina forced 11 caused turnovers, repeatedly flipping the field and creating transition chances Boston never solved.
Another Army Reunion on Deck
The Army storyline continues next week. On June 6 in Charlotte at 5:30 p.m., Eicher and Nichtern will face another former Black Knight: Evan Plunkett, the dynamic scorer drafted by the Denver Outlaws at the end of this NCAA season. Eicher, Nichtern, and Plunkett were three of the most productive players to come through Army in the last decade, and two of them will be on opposite sidelines in Charlotte.
Final Word
Carolina’s win was built on Army DNA. Eicher delivered four. Nichtern added three and an assist. Seven goals and one helper from West Point—and a stellar night for the Chaos.
Carolina didn’t just beat Boston—the Black Knights did. Seven goals and an assist from West Point, delivered in a pro league that keeps learning the same lesson: Army kids don’t blink. If you want more stories that follow the pipeline from Michie Stadium to the pros—the ones nobody else is telling—the Bad Dawg Sports newsletter is where they live.
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