Blue Devils Ready to Dance: No. 7 Duke Set to Host Georgetown in High-Stakes NCAA Lacrosse Showdown Saturday Night
DURHAM, N.C. — The stage is set, the stakes are sky-high, and the Blue Devils are ready to dance. No. 7 Duke Men’s Lacrosse will host Georgetown University in what promises to be a pulse-pounding first-round clash of the 2025 NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Tournament this Saturday night at Koskinen Stadium.
Fresh off a gritty finish to the regular season and a strong showing in the ACC tournament, Duke (12-5) earned the No. 7 seed and home-field advantage in the opening round. The Blue Devils now turn their focus to the Georgetown Hoyas (11-4), a dangerous and battle-tested team that has consistently ranked among the nation’s top squads this season.
This will be the first postseason meeting between the two powerhouse programs since 2008, and fans are bracing for a physical, high-scoring showdown that could go down to the wire.
“It’s win or go home. Our guys know what’s at stake,” said Duke head coach John Danowski, who is no stranger to deep tournament runs. “We’ve trained all year for moments like this, and we’re proud to be playing in front of our home crowd.”
Blue Devils Riding Momentum into May Madness
Duke enters the NCAA Tournament with one of the nation’s most dynamic offenses, led by senior attackman Brennan O’Neill, the 2023 Tewaaraton Award winner and a frontrunner once again this season. O’Neill, who has tallied 45 goals and 30 assists this season, remains the centerpiece of Duke’s fast-paced and unrelenting attack.
Supporting him are fellow standouts Dyson Williams, Josh Zawada, and midfielder Garrett Leadmon, who have all contributed to Duke’s high-scoring offense that averages nearly 14 goals per game.
On the defensive end, goalie Patrick Jamieson and long-stick midfielder Tyler Carpenter have anchored a unit that has grown stronger with each game, peaking at the right time as tournament play begins.
“We’re clicking as a unit,” said O’Neill. “The chemistry is there. We’re playing for each other, and we know what it means to represent Duke on this stage.”
Georgetown: A Gritty and Skilled Opponent
Georgetown, ranked No. 10 nationally, is no underdog. The Hoyas arrive in Durham riding a wave of momentum, led by All-American midfielder Graham Bundy Jr., who has recorded 38 goals and 20 assists this season. Georgetown boasts a physical defense and one of the best face-off specialists in the country in James Reilly, a key factor that could tilt possession in the Hoyas’ favor.
Head coach Kevin Warne has turned Georgetown into a perennial tournament threat, and his squad will not be intimidated by the Blue Devils’ pedigree or the raucous home environment at Koskinen Stadium.
“We respect Duke, but we came here to win,” Warne said in a pregame press conference. “This is the kind of challenge that brings out the best in us.”
What’s at Stake
The winner of Saturday night’s clash will advance to the NCAA quarterfinals, inching one step closer to Championship Weekend in Philadelphia. For Duke, a program with three national titles and a legacy of postseason success under Danowski, expectations remain high.
But the road will not be easy. The NCAA field this year is deep and loaded with talent, and every possession will matter in what could be a season-defining game.
“It’s a new season now. Records don’t matter. Rankings don’t matter,” said Danowski. “It’s about heart, execution, and staying locked in from the first whistle to the last.”
Fan Excitement and Ticket Rush
The anticipation in Durham is palpable. Tickets for Saturday night’s matchup sold out within hours of the NCAA announcement, and the Blue Devil faithful are expected to pack Koskinen Stadium in full voice.
ESPN will broadcast the game live at 7:00 PM ET, bringing national attention to one of the tournament’s most highly anticipated opening-round games.
“It’s going to be electric,” said Duke midfielder Aidan Danenza. “We feed off the energy, and we can’t wait to step on that field.”
The Duke vs. Georgetown showdown isn’t just another game—it’s a battle between tradition, talent, and tenacity. With the pressure of a single-elimination format and the weight of a title run on the line, Saturday night will test both teams’ resolve, depth, and hunger for greatness.
Whether you’re a lifelong lacrosse fan or just tuning in, make no mistake—this is a game you won’t want to miss.
