Four Duke Standouts Named to Preseason All-ACC Team as Blue Devils Gear Up for 2026 Campaign
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - With the 2026 men’s lacrosse season just days away, Duke is already making noise. Four Blue Devils have earned spots on the Preseason All-ACC team, as voted on by the league’s five head coaches. It’s a strong early statement for a program looking to climb back into the title conversation, and Duke shares the league-high total of four selections with reigning ACC champion Syracuse.
Let’s break down what this means - and why these names matter.
Midfield Firepower: Johnston and Sloat Lead the Charge
Benn Johnston and Max Sloat both earned preseason nods at midfield, and if last season was any indication, this duo is poised to be a nightmare for opposing defenses again. Johnston, a USILA second-team All-American in 2025, returns as a team captain and one of the most consistent offensive weapons in the ACC.
He tallied 28 goals last season and added 25 ground balls - leading all Duke offensive players in that category. He’s been a fixture in the lineup, starting all but four games in his career, and is on track to hit the 100-point milestone this season.
Sloat, meanwhile, had a breakout year in 2025. He finished with 26 goals and 16 assists - good for 42 points - and ranked third on the team in scoring.
That’s a 15-point jump from the season before, showing just how far his game has come. Together, Johnston and Sloat combined for 77 points last year, making them one of the most productive midfield tandems in the country.
Defensive Backbone: Johnson and Maguire Set the Tone
On the other side of the field, Duke’s defense is in good hands - or sticks - with Charlie Johnson and Aidan Maguire.
Johnson, a third-team preseason All-American, returns after a breakout season anchoring Duke’s close defense. Starting for the first time in his career, he didn’t just hold his own - he dominated.
The Riverside, Connecticut native led the team with 32 caused turnovers, often drawing the assignment of shutting down the opponent’s top attackman. That 32-takeaway mark?
It’s the second-highest single-season total in Duke history.
Maguire, simply put, is a force. The reigning National Midfielder of the Year and Co-ACC Defensive Player of the Year, Maguire is redefining what it means to play short stick defensive midfield.
He set a new Duke record for caused turnovers by a defensive middie with 26 and scooped up 57 ground balls. His impact goes beyond the stats - he was the only college player invited to the USA Lacrosse Men's Senior National Team training camp, a testament to his elite skill and versatility.
Both Johnson and Maguire were also named preseason All-Americans by USA Lacrosse, with Maguire joining Johnston on the first team.
ACC Outlook: Syracuse on Top, Duke Looking to Climb
In the preseason ACC coaches poll, Syracuse - the defending league champs - is the favorite to repeat, earning 25 points. Notre Dame and North Carolina follow at No. 2 and No. 3, while Duke and Virginia round out the projected standings. That’s bulletin board material for the Blue Devils, who bring back key pieces on both ends and have the talent to make a push.
Season Opener Set
Duke opens its 2026 campaign on January 31 against Bellarmine. The opening faceoff is scheduled for 12 p.m. at Freeman Field inside Koskinen Stadium.
With four preseason All-ACC selections and a core that blends experience, production, and leadership, the Blue Devils have laid the foundation for a big year. The pieces are there - now it’s about putting them together when it counts.