Saturday, April 14, 2012

Army -- Navy Rivalry


WEST POINT, N.Y. - Junior attackman Garrett Thul exploded for a game-high five goals and Army outscored Navy 3-0 in the fourth quarter as the Black Knights clinched a Patriot League Tournament berth with a 9-6 victory over the visiting Midshipmen. The 91st meeting between the rivals was played in front of 10,192 fans at Michie Stadium and was watched by a national television audience on CBS Sports Network.

The triumph extended Army's win streak to four games against Navy, the longest win streak for the Black Knights in the series. Army has won five of the last six meetings and captured the annual "Star" game on a picturesque Saturday afternoon in the Hudson Valley.

"This is a very humbling win because we have such great respect for the Navy program and all that it stands for," said seventh-year head coach Joe Alberici. "Their kids fight so hard, so to come out on top of an emotional game of this magnitude, it's a very humbling feeling.

"We put so much into this game year-round, so to have it come to a head in the fourth quarter and see our guys step up with big-time plays when we needed them made me proud," he added. "For the seniors, this one will feel very special. They have left a great legacy on the Army-Navy rivalry being part of four consecutive wins. Being the competitors that they are, they'll hold onto this one."

Thul's five goals matched his career high for a third time. Senior tri-captain Devin Lynch added two fourth-quarter goals, while freshman midfielder John Glesener chipped in one goal and a career-high three assists. Junior attackman Andrew Boyd also scored for the Black Knights, while junior midfielder Alex Van Krevel registered one assist.

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