Duke Initiates ACC Play Against Syracuse This Saturday

Duke opens ACC play this weekend with a major test in Syracuse. The Blue Devils travel to the Dome for a Saturday matchup on ESPNU.

Records and rankings

Duke enters 8-0 overall. The program sits among the top nationally in several polls.

USILA lists Duke at No. 4. USA Lacrosse ranks the Blue Devils fifth. Inside Lacrosse places them sixth.

Syracuse is 8-2 and unbeaten at home. The Orange are top-ranked in multiple ballots as well.

Inside Lacrosse ranks Syracuse fifth. The coaches poll has them seventh. USA Lacrosse lists them ninth.

Key players to watch

Syracuse junior Benn Johnston leads his team with 27 goals and five assists. He has 32 points.

Syracuse also features a playmaker with a team-high 11 assists. Several midfielders provide scoring depth.

Duke’s freshman attack has been prolific. Kyle Colsey has 20 goals and seven assists this season.

Michael Ortlieb has contributed 13 goals and eight assists. Brady Scioletti has been a steady midfield scorer.

Faceoffs and specialists

Junior Cal Girard has dramatically improved his faceoff percentage. He rose from 47 percent in 2025 to 64 percent this year.

Defense and goaltending

Duke’s defense is among the nation’s stingiest. Opponents average 6.88 goals per game against the Blue Devils.

The defense also limits shots to about 29.3 per contest. Several defenders have combined for many caused turnovers.

Junior goalie Patrick Jameison anchors the unit. He carries a 6.27 goals-against average and a .557 save rate.

Rookie impact

Rookies account for a significant share of Duke’s offense. About 35 percent of the team’s points come from freshmen.

Three first-year scorers rank among the top 20 rookies in goals. Their trio has combined for 70 points.

Nine of Duke’s 10 true freshmen have seen game action this season. Several play major minutes on both lines.

By the numbers

• 8-0 — Duke’s record entering ACC play.
• 8-2 — Syracuse’s overall mark, undefeated at home.
• 6.27 — Patrick Jameison’s goals-against average, lowest among Division I goalies.
• .704 — Opponent clear percentage against Duke, ranking second nationally.
• 20 — Goals in seven games for rookie Kyle Colsey, most for any ACC freshman.
• 36% — Increase in Cal Girard’s faceoff success from 2025 to 2026.

Series background

This meeting is the 28th overall between the programs. It is the 18th meeting as ACC opponents.

Syracuse leads the all-time series 16-11. The Orange have dominated matchups in the Dome.

Last season the teams split their games. Duke won in Durham. Syracuse prevailed in the ACC title game.

Matchup dynamics

The game features potent offenses versus strong defenses. Syracuse’s scoring attack ranks among the national leaders.

Duke counters with a top-tier offense and a stifling defense. Both teams limit opponent shooting to under 23 percent.

Shooting efficiency for both sides sits near 32 percent this season.

What’s next for Duke

After Syracuse, Duke returns home for its ACC home opener against Virginia. The faceoff is set for noon on ACC Network.

For coverage and updates, follow DukeMLAX on social media. Filmogaz.com will carry further previews and analysis.