“It’s Cool To Care About The Things You Want”: Achieving Success At West Point And On The Army Women’s Lacrosse Team

Brigid Duffy and Allison Reilly graduated from West Point in 2026, and both were standout players on the Army Women’s Lacrosse Team, while Duffy also played on the Army Women’s Soccer Team. Brigid was raised in an Army family with nine siblings. Her parents both served in the Army. Her father, a podiatrist, commissioned through ROTC, and her mother graduated from West Point in 1999, where she ran track and cross country. Allison’s father is a police officer and her mother is a high school nurse. Allison has two older siblings. Her sister graduated from the Merchant Marine Academy and serves in the Coast Guard Reserve, while her brother graduated from SUNY Maritime. Both Brigid and Allison were proactive in their recruitment, reaching out to the West Point lacrosse program themselves, driven by a desire to play Division I lacrosse at a service academy. Allison noted that “West Point fit everything I wanted.” They both mention the challenges of living through the COVID-19 pandemic at a crucial time in their development as lacrosse players as well as for recruiting. The day before R-Day, their coach held a barbecue for the incoming players. Older teammates who were serving as Beast Cadre were there to offer pointers, but the New Cadets were still very nervous about what to expect. They decided to report together as a team, choosing the earliest possible time slot and meeting at Buffalo Soldier Field at 0530, hoping to get through the day faster. Allison recalls the day as a blur, noting it was as if she “blacked out.” She recalls changing into an odd uniform of PTs, high socks, and low-quarter shoes, and being given a granola bar, all of which she found very strange. At West Point, Brigid majored in Biology, while Allison majored in Management. They describe balancing their athletic commitments with military duties. Brigid served as a Platoon Sergeant for Cadet Field Training (CFT) and completed a mountain warfare course in Slovenia. Allison was a squad leader for the Summer Leader Experience (SLE) and did an academic internship in Barcelona. Allison also competed on a Sandhurst Team “for fun.” They both did well physically and tabbed the IOCT. They loved seeing each other grow as players on the lacrosse team, and they attribute their successes to each other. They describe memorable victories over Navy (4 overtimes), Jacksonville, and Yale (the program’s first top-5 victory). Both were the first Army players to represent the United States in the World Lacrosse U20 Championship, where they won a gold medal in China. Brigid was also a four-year member of the Corps Squad soccer team, winning a Patriot League championship. She reflects on being “in season” all year but was successful due to supportive coaches. Brigid Duffy was the first Army woman to be named a finalist for the Tewaaraton Award, the highest individual honor in college lacrosse. They also describe the challenges of balancing duty to their team and duty to their company. Brigid branched Engineers and will be stationed at Fort Stewart, Georgia, after time as an Athletic Intern. She plans to play in a professional women's lacrosse league and on the US Women's National Team before attending BOLC. Allison branched Air Defense Artillery and will report to Fort Campbell after her Basic Officer Leader Course (BOLC). She remains open to the possibility of continuing to play professionally. They conclude the interview by reflecting on what West Point means to them, while giving advice to future Cadets. Brigid advises keeping the long-term goal of becoming an Army Officer in mind, while Allison says, “It’s cool to care about the things you want. Be yourself.” They end the interview emphasizing their personal growth, the sense of purpose the Academy gave them, and the importance of the personal connections they developed with the people they met during their four years at West Point.