DURHAM, N.C. – A familiar foe looms for the Bellarmine lacrosse team in their season opener this Saturday, February 1. For the third straight year, the Knights head to Tobacco Road to open with national powerhouse Duke, currently ranked 7^th in the country by both USA Lacrosse Magazine and Inside Lacrosse. Opening faceoff is scheduled for 12 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
 
The Blue Devils were a national semifinalist in 2024 as a 2-seed before falling to 7-seed Maryland 14-11. Duke went 13-6 overall last year, though just 1-3 in the ACC gauntlet, and earned a 19-7 win over Bellarmine ASUN mate Utah in the NCAA quarterfinals.
 
"This is the third straight season we've opened with Duke and anytime you get to test yourself against a top-10 program, it's going to be an exciting opportunity," said Bellarmine head coach Andrew Whitley. "Both teams are going to look a little bit different than they have the last couple of seasons."
 
Gone from Duke are Inside Lacrosse First Team All-American attack Brennan O'Neill and Second Team defenseman Kenny Brower, among a bevy of other grad students and seniors. O'Neill led Duke with 81 points on 54 goals and 27 assists while Brower caused a team-leading 19 turnovers.
 
Despite the departures, Duke returns several players receiving early national attention. Senior midfielder Andrew McAdorey earned Preseason First Team All-American honors from Inside Lacrosse while short stick midfielders Aidan Maguire and Jack Gray were given second and third-team recognition, respectively. Midfielder Benn Johnston was tabbed with honorable mention.
 
McAdorey is the Blue Devils' top returning scorer with 28 goals and nine assists last season, earning him Second Team All-American status from USA Lacrosse Magazine and Inside Lacrosse. Maguire was fourth on the team with 40 groundballs and tied for fourth with 15 caused turnovers. Gray is a senior captain who picked up 16 groundballs and forced four turnovers while also playing on the faceoff wing, helping Duke to a .512 faceoff winning percentage. Johnston's 29 points last season on 21 goals and eight assists ranked him third all-time among Duke rookie midfielders.
 
"Duke graduated as accomplished of a group of players as they have ever had and there will be a lot of new faces all over the field for the Blue Devils," said Whitley. "That being said, they are still Duke and I would expect to see a bunch of elite, athletic players who are looking to build chemistry. Knowing the Duke coaching staff and the history of the program, I expect that'll happen fairly quickly.  It is a challenge we are looking forward to and our players are excited for the challenge ahead."
 
The Knights are 0-4 all-time against Duke, losing by an average score of 18-7. Duke defeated Bellarmine 20-12 in the season opener last year. John Alie and Kyle Playsted each recorded a hat trick while Benny O'Rourk and Wilson Murphree scored two goals each.
 
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