Allison Reilly Part of Program-Defining Era for Army

Allison Reilly didn’t search for a typical college lacrosse experience.

As the Sayville, N.Y., native watched her older sister Jessica compete for the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Reilly knew she wanted to attend a service academy.

“I was in middle school at the time when she went there, and I saw how it really impacted her and set her in the right direction,” Reilly said. “I knew from then on that I wanted to attend an academy school. I wasn’t interested in normal college at all. So, in the recruiting process, I was reaching out to Army and Navy because I wanted to play at the Division I level.”

Reilly, who committed to Army under the program’s prior staff led by Kristen Skiera, immediately caught coach Michelle Tumolo’s eye when she invited the 2022 recruits onto campus for a combined official visit and clinic.

Tumolo saw semblances of herself in the lefty attacker.

“She was so quiet, which is funny to think about now because she’s one of the goofiest people on our team,” Tumolo said. “From the very first practice, just watching her play, we knew she had the ‘It Factor.’ Her game has transcended through these past four years, but I always saw something special in her from the first day we saw her play.”

Reilly has recorded 86 points on 33 goals and 53 assists through the first 12 games of her senior season. She ranks third in the NCAA in points and assists, shattering the Black Knights’ single-season assists record with several weeks remaining in the regular season.

When her junior season concluded in an NCAA tournament loss to Maryland, Reilly began refining her right hand to become a more difficult player to scout. She credited her elevated assists numbers to her offseason work and seeing more zone defensive looks.

Sammy Cermack joining the Army staff in August 2023 has proven invaluable to Reilly’s development. Tumolo said Reilly and Cermack have forged a special bond that has helped Reilly make the jump from “great to elite.”

“I never thought I would be where I am today without my coaches,” Reilly said. “The second Sammy came on to the coaching staff, she instilled such confidence in me. Now, I’m performing like I never have before. I wouldn’t do it without the coaches caring and loving for me, not only for my skill but just me as a person.”

She and fellow All-American Brigid Duffy have ushered in a program-defining era for Army. Duffy and Reilly rank first and second on the school’s career points leaderboard, with Duffy at 331 and Reilly close behind at 327.

The duo have the most combined points of any two teammates in the country this season, and Tumolo has marveled at their ability to share the limelight.

“It’s so cool to see two players, especially from an academy, play to such a high level and be nationally recognized for their stats and abilities,” Tumolo said. “The best thing about them: they’re so different. It’s so fun when they assist each other or score off each other’s greatness.”

While Army has won seven consecutive games, including a 12-8 victory over then-No. 4 Yale on March 31, a 1-2 stretch to open the season caused significant internal reflection for the Black Knights.

Tumolo and her staff knew they had the talent to compete with the nation’s top teams, but Army needed to dig deeper. The Black Knights called a meeting of players and coaches at which Duffy and Reilly both spoke, urging their teammates to believe in the group.

“A lot of it was vulnerability,” Reilly said. “As seniors, the majority of us are on the field. What was missing in Northwestern and Colorado was confidence. Coach pointed out how when we don’t have confidence, we’re not playing our best. As seniors, we were like, ‘We need to look toward ourselves and realize that it comes down to us, how we feel and how we play.’”

Reilly said the team’s demeanor in last week’s win against the Bulldogs encapsulated this message. She chalked it up as “just having fun.”

“I would be going up to the circle, and one of my friends is making an Army joke to me as I’m trying to go and win a draw,” Reilly said. “We know we’re playing our best when we’re just letting loose. That confidence comes from just having fun.”

On Saturday, Reilly and her fellow seniors will take on No. 8 Navy in their final regular-season meeting of the rivalry series. Throughout her career, Reilly has played the Midshipmen on five occasions.

Army boasts a 3-2 record in the series since 2023.

“Something I get so excited or nervous that I get nauseous thinking about playing them because of how big this game is to me and this team,” Reilly said. “They’re obviously ranked above us right now, so beating them would not only secure home field advantage for the playoffs in the Patriot League, but it would give us even more confidence.

“It would show the recognition of who Army is this year, and I don’t think we’re receiving enough of that.”