**BREAKING NEWS: Three Black Knights Land on IWLCA Academic Honor Roll**

 

*WEST POINT, N.Y. – July 24, 2025* – Excellence on the field and in the classroom continues to define Army West Point women’s lacrosse, as three standout cadet-athletes have been named to the prestigious Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) Academic Honor Roll for 2025. Seniors **Emily Harding**, **Sophia Carter**, and **Jillian Monroe** have each earned the honor, highlighting their commitment to academic and athletic achievement at one of the nation’s most rigorous institutions.

The IWLCA Academic Honor Roll recognizes student-athletes who have achieved a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or higher and are juniors, seniors, or graduate students. With over 500 honorees across all NCAA divisions this year, only a select few represent the U.S. Military Academy—a testament to the discipline, intelligence, and resilience required to thrive at West Point.

 

For Army’s women’s lacrosse program, these honors underscore a culture of excellence that extends far beyond the field of play.

 

Under the leadership of head coach **Michelle Tumolo**, now entering her third season, the Black Knights have steadily cultivated a program that blends elite athletic performance with academic integrity. This dual mission is especially demanding at a service academy, where cadets balance Division I athletic commitments with military duties, physical training, and a rigorous academic curriculum.

 

“This honor is incredibly meaningful,” said Coach Tumolo. “These young women don’t just represent Army lacrosse—they represent the very best of West Point. Their dedication to their studies, their team, and their future service is inspiring.”

 

#### **Emily Harding (Senior, Defender – Systems Engineering Major)**

 

A four-year contributor and one of the team’s most vocal leaders, Emily Harding has been a consistent force on defense for the Black Knights. Known for her grit, game IQ, and composure under pressure, Harding was a key part of the unit that ranked among the top defenses in the Patriot League in 2025.

 

Academically, Harding has thrived in one of West Point’s most challenging majors: Systems Engineering. With coursework ranging from advanced calculus and data analytics to operations research, her success in the classroom is no small feat.

 

“I’ve always believed that how you do anything is how you do everything,” Harding said. “Whether I’m on the field or in a classroom, I want to give it everything I have. Being recognized by the IWLCA means a lot—it validates all those long nights and early mornings.”

 

Harding also completed an independent research project focused on optimizing logistical systems for humanitarian aid—an effort that may directly inform her future role in the Army’s logistics or engineering branches.

 

Few players exemplify versatility like Sophia Carter. As a midfielder, she’s one of the Black Knights’ most consistent two-way players, contributing on draws, in transition, and on both ends of the field. Her endurance and competitive edge were instrumental in several key victories this past season.

 

Carter’s academic journey reflects a global mindset. As an International Relations major, she’s tackled complex coursework in diplomacy, national security, and conflict resolution. She recently completed a capstone research project on emerging cyber threats to national sovereignty—work that earned her recognition from faculty and consideration for publication in the Academy’s defense and policy journal.

 

“The balance between athletics, academics, and military life is intense, but it also prepares us for leadership in the most complete way possible,” Carter said. “This honor reminds me that it’s all worth it. It’s about using every opportunity to grow.”

 

Carter also served as a summer intern with a Department of Defense policy think tank, where she gained firsthand experience with real-time strategic analysis.

 

A gifted scorer and intelligent playmaker, Jillian Monroe wrapped up her senior season as one of the Black Knights’ top offensive threats. Her creativity behind the cage, sharp passing, and clutch performances made her a fan favorite and a key part of the team’s attack.

 

Off the field, Monroe has pursued a challenging course of study in Life Science, focusing on biochemistry and molecular biology. Her research has focused on metabolic performance in high-stress environments—a topic highly relevant to both athletes and soldiers.

 

“Being at West Point teaches you how to push your limits, both mentally and physically,” Monroe said. “To be recognized on the IWLCA Honor Roll means a lot to me because it’s not just about the goals or assists—it’s about the work you put in when no one’s watching.”

 

Monroe’s long-term aspiration is to become a combat medic or pursue medical school after completing her service commitment.

 

Army West Point women’s lacrosse has become increasingly competitive on the national stage. After a strong 2025 season in the Patriot League, the program continues to attract top-tier student-athletes who value academic rigor and military service.

 

The recognition from the IWLCA not only celebrates individual excellence but also reflects the culture of accountability and purpose embedded in the Black Knights’ team identity.

 

“This is a proud moment not just for Emily, Sophia, and Jillian—but for the entire Army lacrosse family,” said Athletic Director Mike Buddie. “Our cadet-athletes are leaders of character, and this honor is just one example of the kind of impact they’re already making.

 

As the Black Knights prepare for the 2026 season, these academic honors serve as a strong recruiting message and a reaffirmation of West Point’s core values: Duty, Honor, Country.

 

For incoming cadet-athletes and current underclassmen, the accomplishments of Harding, Carter, and Monroe provide a roadmap for what’s possible: a full embrace of West Point’s challenges, and the rewards that follow.

 

“The bar has been set high,” Coach Tumolo said. “And that’s exactly how we want it.”

 

The IWLCA Academic Honor Roll distinction may mark the culmination of these three seniors’ collegiate careers, but it also points to bright futures ahead—in uniform, in graduate study, and in the many ways they will lead beyond the gates of West Point.

The Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association is the premier organization for college lacrosse coaches, with over 1,200 members from NCAA Division I, II, and III institutions. The Academic Honor Roll is one of its most competitive and distinguished accolades, recognizing true scholar-athletes.

 

Located in West Point, New York, the U.S. Military Academy is one of the most selective and prestigious institutions in the country. Army West Point Athletics fields 30 NCAA Division I teams and champions the development of leaders of character through competition, education,