Overview
If one was to describe the past four or so years of Duke men’s lacrosse in one word, the most apt would be “almost.”
The Blue Devils almost made the national title game in 2021. They almost made the NCAA Tournament in 2022 and almost won the national title game in 2023. And last year, almost got a chance for redemption.
Enter 2025, and the word “almost” doesn’t exist for head coach John Danowski’s Blue Devils. The key contributors to the most recent era of Duke lacrosse — Brennan O’Neill, Jake Naso, Dyson Williams and Kenny Brower, to name a few — are all gone, replaced by a mix of freshmen and transfers, just as new to Durham as each other. Some units, like the defense and midfield, are more established, but Danowski made clear there’s room for adjustment in those areas too.
Starting with the front and moving back, Danowski said at a preseason media availability that the new Blue Devil attack will feature Eric Malever, Liam Kershis and Luke Grayum taking the places of O’Neill, Williams and Josh Zawada. The midfield is, for the first time in a while, the most experienced unit on the roster, with All-American returner Andrew McAdorey leading a group that also includes the offensively minded Benn Johnston and Max Sloat. Two-year defenseman Henry Bard, tasked with filling the shoes of Premier Lacrosse League standout Tyler Carpenter, moves into defensive midfield alongside Aidan Maguire and Jack Gray.
The defense may not have Bard or the All-American mold of Brower anymore, but ex-rotation pieces Jake Wilson, Keith Boyer and Charlie Johnson will look to step up in starting roles. That’s not to mention Nikolas Menendez, the top freshman in Duke’s recruiting class, and sophomore goalkeeper Patrick Jameison, who will hope to build on a stellar first season.
The clearest roster deficiency is at the spot with the departure of Naso, the program’s all-time faceoff leader. Danowski said his team will approach the position “by committee,” and that he has “no idea” what to expect just yet.
In other words, the pieces are theoretically there. The attack line is a good mix of experience (from other schools) and raw talent. The midfield has leadership and oodles of goals, the defense is untested but veteran and the goalie is proven despite his age. Danowski’s defensive midfield is perhaps the best such unit in the country. But with such a new roster — and crucially without the program legends that defined the last few years of Duke lacrosse — 2025’s team is Danowski’s most unknown quantity in years.
That doesn’t mean good, that doesn’t mean bad. It just means we don’t know. In any case, the Blue Devils are eager to shake the word “almost” from their vocabulary.
That mission starts Saturday afternoon at Koskinen Stadium. -Andrew Long
Key departures: Brennan O’Neill and Jake Naso
How do you replace a Tewaaraton Award winner, last season’s leader in points and one of the best scorers ever? How do you replace the program record holder in faceoffs won? These are questions needing answers as O’Neill and Naso, huge keys to the team’s success during their time at Duke, have ventured to play lacrosse at the next level.
For Danowski, the first few games of the season will likely serve as a litmus test for the structure of the offense. This will start at the “FOGO,” where 80% of faceoffs will need to be replaced, most likely by what the head coach called a “committee.” This will likely include sophomore Cal Girard, junior Luke Engelke and freshman Ben McCarthy, although Danowski acknowledges he has “no idea” what to expect. Naso was outstanding at his position, and the coaching staff could count on his ability — it was unusual the times he did lose possession. Farther down the field, O’Neill’s sometimes superhuman abilities meant he drew the top end of opposing defenses each game, allowing his teammates, often Dyson Williams and Josh Zawada, to shine. Of course, O’Neill could do the shining himself, and leaves a hole of 93 shots on goal, 54 goals and 27 assists. With these talented players and leaders gone, the Blue Devils will need returners and newcomers to step up. -Ryan Hamner
Returner to watch: Andrew McAdorey
Only at Duke could a player as talented as McAdorey play second fiddle for three years. The incredible midfielder from St. Anthony’s in New York has scored 87 goals, dished out 50 assists and appeared on one USILA All-American first team throughout his career, but always was considered the second or even the third option to O’Neill and Williams. No more. McAdorey is the main threat in the Blue Devils attack, and all eyes and expectations will be on him to be a creative player that generates many scoring opportunities. The preseason accolades are already flying in, with McAdorey being named to the Preseason All-ACC team Tuesday. Look for the senior to jell and electrify Koskinen alongside Johnston and live up to his full potential. -Luke Jovanovic
New players to watch: Nikolas Menendez and Ben McCarthy
The incoming roster is stacked with elite talent. Eight of the 10 first-year players rank among Inside Lacrosse’s Class of 2024 Power 100 — tying Duke with Virginia and North Carolina for the most top-ranked newcomers of any program. Atop the ranks sits No. 2 Menendez and No. 4 McCarthy. Together, the duo’s athleticism and versatility will be key in filling the void left by last season’s departures.
Menendez enters this season as the reigning 2024 USA Lacrosse High School Boy’s National Player of the Year. Originally committed to Harvard, the 6-foot-1 defender flipped to Duke, bringing with him a high lacrosse IQ and defensive tenacity. With the graduation of Brower and Carpenter, Menedez’s impactful ground ball and turnover game will be critical to revitalizing Duke’s defensive game.
McCarthy joins in this mission, seeking to fill the gap left by Naso. At the 2024 New Balance All-American Game, McCarthy gave a final glimpse of the technique he’ll bring to Durham, opening the game with a goal just 15 seconds in and adding two more before the final whistle. His ability to transition seamlessly from faceoff wins to offensive plays makes him a key asset as the Blue Devils look to push the pace. -Lucy Glynn
Most anticipated matchup: Duke at Notre Dame, March 29
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For Duke’s first ACC test of the season, the Blue Devils travel to defending back-to-back national champions Notre Dame for a clash between titans. However, for lack of better words, Notre Dame completely owns Duke. The Blue Devils have lost the previous six matches against the Irish, most recent of which was a 16-6 drubbing at Arlotta Stadium last year. Notre Dame also defeated Duke in the 2023 national title game, a stinging blow that the Blue Devils have yet to avenge. While Pat Kavanagh graduated and plays for the Denver Outlaws in the PLL, his brother Chris still heads the attack that also features talented dual-sport athlete Jordan Faison. The game will serve as an excellent test for the championship potential of this team, as well as another opportunity to finally dispel old demons. -Jovanovic
Best-case scenario
A single season divides preseason-No. 7 Duke’s last visit to the national championship game and the Blue Devils 2025 season, but it's been over a decade since Danowski last led his team to a national title. As Duke retains some starpower from last season’s impressive roster, gains transfers and continues to develop the fresher faces who brought their talents to Durham, the team has realistic odds to stand up to the other powerhouses in the ACC. In a best-case scenario, the Blue Devils find ways to take down Notre Dame, Syracuse and Virginia, building confidence just in time for the NCAA Tournament. And this year, experience from quality victories in tandem with Danowski’s expertise leads Duke through the tournament and to the program’s fourth NCAA championship. -Colton Schwabe
Worst-case scenario
Last season saw an O’Neill-headlined roster fight its way to be the top-ranked team in the country after opening victories against lesser competition, but Duke quickly lost the title after a rainy loss to No. 17 Penn in Koskinen. Danowski’s team additionally fell to ACC giants Notre Dame and Syracuse and painfully ended its regular season with a loss to North Carolina in Chapel Hill. The team did what it could do to redeem itself in the ACC Tournament and earned the No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament, but it became clear that the extensively talented squad that Danowski assembled would rarely be firing at full throttle. The team fell earlier than they could’ve in the tournament. This season, as Duke is projected to play amongst the top teams in the NCAA, a repeat of last season is certainly not ideal, but even worse scenarios are certainly possible. If the Blue Devils falter in ACC play and drop too many nonconference matchups, earning a less-than-ideal seed before a quick tournament exit or even missing the tournament completely is not out of the picture. -Schwabe
Predictions
Long: 11-4 (2-2), Loss in NCAA semifinals
Jovanovic: 13-2 (3-1), Loss in NCAA quarterfinals
Hamner: 11-4 (2-2), Loss in NCAA semifinals
Schwabe: 11-4 (2-2), Loss in NCAA quarterfinals
Glynn: 12-3 (2-2), Loss in NCAA quarterfinals
Andrew Long is a Trinity senior and recruitment/social chair of The Chronicle's 120th volume. He was previously sports editor for Volume 119.