Duke's men's lacrosse team is set to face No. 1 seed Princeton in the NCAA semifinals after a convincing 16-6 victory over Georgetown. Historically, Duke holds a 3-1 record against top seeds in NCAA postseason play, and they currently sit at 11-4 overall. Princeton enters the matchup as Ivy League Champions with a 15-2 record. Key players for Duke include junior Benn Johnston and midfielders Max Sloat and Kyle Colsey, while the Blue Devils boast a strong defensive unit allowing just 8.73 goals per game.

By the Numbers
  • 27% - Shooting percentage allowed by Duke鈥檚 defense.
  • 14-1 - Duke's postseason record in Charlottesville under head coach John Danowski.
  • 36 - Goals scored by senior Max Sloat, the most by a Duke midfielder since 2016.
  • 3-0 - Duke's record against No. 1 seeds under head coach John Danowski.
  • 8.83 - Points per game averaged by Princeton attackmen Nate Kabiri and Chad Palumbo combined.
Yes, But

Although Duke has a strong postseason record, they have struggled historically against Princeton, with a 2-9 record overall. The last six meetings have typically been narrow contests, adding pressure to both teams.

State of Play
  • Duke aims for its third win over a top 5 team this season.
  • Cal Girard has been consistent at the faceoff dot, winning at least 50% of faceoffs in 12 of the last 15 games.
  • Duke's defense maintains a low goals-against average, crucial for their success against high-scoring teams like Princeton.
What's Next

A victory would advance Duke to its eighth national title game and further solidify John Danowski's legacy as one of the top coaches in NCAA history. Fans can expect an aggressive game with both teams looking to exploit the other's weaknesses.

Bottom Line

Duke's blend of strong offense, solid defense, and historical motivation against Princeton gives them a competitive edge as they pursue a national title. The outcome may hinge on their ability to control the faceoffs and capitalize on scoring opportunities.