DURHAM, N.C. – For the fourth straight season, the Bellarmine lacrosse team is set to open their campaign by visiting national powerhouse No. 11 Duke.
 
Opening faceoff between the Knights and Blue Devils is set for 12 p.m. ET on Monday, February 2 after being pushed back from Saturday due to forecasted inclement weather. The game was also moved from the Blue Devils' usual natural grass pitch at Koskinen Stadium to the adjacent Cohan Turf Fields.
 
"We are looking forward to testing ourselves against one of the elite programs in college lacrosse," said Andrew Whitley ahead of his seventh season opener at the helm of the Knights. "We return a large group of young players from last year's squad and the experience gained from testing ourselves versus the Blue Devils over the past few seasons has proven invaluable. This year will be no different and we are looking forward to the challenge against what is a veteran Duke squad."
 
This will be the fourth straight year in which the programs have opened the season together in Durham. Duke has won the previous three games by an average score of 21-8.
 
When talking about Duke coming into the 2026 season, it makes sense to start with the midfield and their pair of All-Americans.
 
"Benn Johnston is as dynamic an offensive player as we'll see this year and if we can limit his effectiveness, that will be a great sign for the future," Whitley said. "Duke has arguably the best midfielder in college lacrosse in Aidan Maguire and I would expect his role to expand from last year. He is the best SSDM in college lacrosse and I suspect Duke will expand his role to the offensive end at times this year. His athleticism is among the best in the sport right now."
 
Johnston last year scored 28 goals and was named a Second Team All-American by both the USILA and USA Lacrosse. A senior, Maguire was a consensus First Team All-American and was named the Lt. Donald MacLaughlin National Midfielder of the Year after causing 26 turnovers and picking up 57 ground balls to lead the nation among non-faceoff specialists.
 
At the other end of the field, the Knights will face a unit that ranked third in the ACC and 17th in Division I last year allowing just 9.78 goals per game.
 
"Charlie Johnson returns to anchor their defense and Patrick Jameison is as good of a goalie as Duke has had in recent years. Although this appears to an older, experienced roster for Duke, there is a newness about them," Whitley said.
 
A senior, Johnson led the Blue Devils with 32 caused turnovers last year, tied for the second-most in program history. He also scooped 30 ground balls. Like Johnston, he was a Second Team All-American honoree by USILA.
 
Jameison, a junior, ranked 28th nationally and third in the ACC a year ago with his .534 save percentage.
 
Despite the daunting task ahead of them, Whitley likes the opportunity early in the season to see what his group is capable of.
 
"We like the athletic potential of our team this year and our ability to compete with Duke will a create a great benchmark for what our potential is this year," Whitley concluded. "Duke is typically one of the most athletic teams in the country and their ability to speed the game up and make you uncomfortable is something we are going to have to manage. If we can manage the game effectively, we can find ourselves in a very competitive environment."
 
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