Fans won’t catch a glimpse of Duke this fall as coach John Danowski does not play outside competition. Flying under the radar with a retooled roster will leave a lot of questions unanswered until February of 2025.
Let’s break down what we know about the Blue Devils.
The 2025 lineup will be altered dramatically with the departures of five players who stuck on PLL rosters and a handful of household names who earned degrees. Duke says goodbye to 48% of their 2024 starts and 70% of its scoring.
- Brennan ONeil – A
- Dyson Williams – A
- Josh Zawada – A
- Kenny Brower – D
- Tyler Carpenter – LSM
- Aidan Danenza – M
- Charlie Balsamo – M transfer to UVA
- Jake Caputo – SSDM
- Jake Naso – FO
Notable additions:
- Paul Weathington – SSDM Princeton
- Aidan Blake – M Cornell
- Eric Malever – A Maryland
- Graham Blake – A Harvard
- Luke Grayum – A Richmond
- Chris Cusolito – M Providence
Coach John Danowski has been in Durham for 17 seasons, winning three NCAA Championships – 2010, 2013 and 2014. The 2024 campaign saw his veteran team go (13-6), a spring that fizzled in a quarterfinals collapse, losing to Maryland. 2024 fell drastically short of expectation.
Who are the new leaders?
Andrew McAdorey, Aidan Maguire and Henry Bard are the voices of the 2025 squad. In my opinion, player leadership, or lack of it, has been an issue plaguing Duke.
What’s practice been like this fall?
Coach Dino adores music. He’s been spinning the tunes during fall workouts. Every week DJ Dino introduces a new theme and compliments it with his musical library that traces its roots to the genre of the 1970s. He will select anything from REO Speedwagon “Roll with The Changes” to U2’s “Elevation”. Every song has meaning and conveys a message.
Who plays attack?
McAdorey (28,9) is back on attack for the time being. Transfers Graham Blake (29,1) (Har), Eric Malever (15,22) (Md) and Luke Grayum (37,10) (Rich) add punch with freshmen Liam Kershis (Shoreham Wading River) in the mix. Kershis is refined, though I think he needs more time in the weight room.
The top midfield will be a team strength and one of the top units in the country. Ben Johnston and Max Sloat are studs and potential All-Americans. A 6-1 220 pounder from Avon CT, Johnston went for (21,8) as a right-handed rookie. Sloat is a southpaw from California having played for Chris Rotelli in HS, and finished 2024 with 19,8.
Who else can play midfield?
Transfer Chris Cusolito (Prov) has dynamite speed, clocked above 20 mph while a Friar. Big Red transfer Aidan Blake dealt with injuries in Ithaca and can handle an assortment of roles. Jack Pappendick can handle the ball, is seasoned and has mastered the Matt Danowski play book.
Look out for Tomas Delgado. The light bulb has switched on for the sophomore midfielder. It’s not uncommon to see a massive jump in year #2 from midfielders. If Delgado were a stock, I’d be buying.
With so many vacancies, competition yields inspired practices and weightlifting sessions.
FO man and violinist Jake Naso was a workhorse and departs to the real world. Freshmen Ben McCarthy, Senior Liam McLane, Sophomore Cal Girard and junior Luke Engelke give coach Danowski options, and assorted flavors.
Let’s talk about defense.
The LSM is likely to be Cole Krauss. The SSDM position is loaded, probably the best in the nation with Aidan McGuire and Jack Gray. Adding Tiger transfer Paul Weathington to this mix is downright unfair. Reed Landin can also run shifts. Coach Kevin Unterstein comes over from UNC to manage the rope unit and the early returns are favorable.
Down on close defense, keep tabs on newcomer Nikolas Menendez from Culver who may develop into an ACC top cover man under the watchful eye of DC Ron Caputo. Charlie Johnson has impressed along with Henry Bard, Jake Wilson and Keith Boyer.
Freshman goalie Buck Cunningham from Valor Christian in Colorado will apply pressure to sophomore Patrick Jameison. Jameison (53%) had a strong initial season, especially early in the year, before hitting the wall in May. The prolonged college season is taxing on freshman.
What’s the ACC look like in 2025?
The league may step back to the pack after a stellar 2024. Syracuse could be the team to beat. Notre Dame is still elite but not an untouchable super power like in 2024. Carolina has young talent but hasn’t qualified for the NCAA’s since 2021. Virginia lost boatloads of scoring.
Let’s see how the new components in Durham gel. The Blue Devils do not play external fall scrimmages and will be an unknown prior to taking the field on opening day 2025.
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Quint Kessenich covers pro and college lacrosse for the ESPN networks. He will be covering LSU at Arkansas football this Saturday at 7pm on ESPN.
