Completed Event: Men's Lacrosse versus Georgetown on May 10, 2025 , Loss , 12, to, 16
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Final
Men's Lacrosse
12
vs Georgetown
16
Photo by: Premier Lacrosse League
Smith Shines in Sixes, Montgomery joins SPIRE and ACC Opener Awaits
3/1/2023 10:26:00 AM | Men's Lacrosse
Brad Smith is Built for Sixes
Former Duke standout Brad Smith suited up for Whipsnakes for the thrilling PLL Championship Series last week. Games were played in the fast-paced Olympics format, featuring four eight-minute quarters on a 70-by-36 meter field. There is a 30-second shot clock and instead of taking faceoffs the goalie restarts play immediately following a goal.
Smith shined on both ends of the field, finishing with 21 points over the course of the four games. He regularly made the highlights with diving goals and even a one-handed scoop shot as he was pushed into the crease.
Whipsnakes and Duke teammate Justin Guterding, Duke's all-time leading goal scorer, dropped in seven goals and seven assists in the Championship Series last week.
Nakeie Montgomery Joins SPIRE Academy
Two-time first-team All-American Nakeie Montgomery recently landed a spot as an Assistant Coach with SPIRE Academy. Montgomery joins SPIRE Academy Director of Lacrosse and Head Coach JD Harkey, as well as SPIRE Ambassador and lacrosse legend Kyle Harrison, to help build the new men's lacrosse program for the 2023-24 academic year.
"It's an honor to be chosen to help get the SPIRE Lacrosse program started," Montgomery stated. "I'm excited for this opportunity to work with players from all over and do everything I can to prepare them to excel both on and off the field."
SPIRE Academy is a comprehensive academic, athletic, personal skills and career development experience located within a world class event and wellness complex. To learn more about SPIRE click here.
"When searching for an Assistant Coach to help me build an exceptional culture, I sought someone who would lead by example," Coach Harkey explained. "Nakeie has an indomitable spirit, is full of confidence, sports a consistently positive attitude and is passionate in his pursuits. He is someone everybody wants on their team and elevates those around him. I'm thrilled to work together and excited to afford our student athletes a great role model."
Montgomery excelled on and off the field during his time as a Blue Devil. Garnering multiple All-America awards for his performance on the field, he also was named the Duke Senior Student-Athlete of the Year in 2021 for his efforts in the classroom as well as in the community nationwide. He is a Co-Founder of the student-athlete driven storytelling platform UNCUT Duke and was a Duke Student Council member.
Duke Opens ACC Play
The Blue Devils open their ACC slate Sunday at No. 20 Syracuse. Duke vaulted to No. 5 in the USILA Coaches' poll following its win at Penn last Saturday and looks to upend the Orange for the first time in Syracuse. The victory on the Quakers' home field was the first in Blue Devil history.
Duke is 34-18 in ACC regular season action under head coach John Danowski. The Blue Devils are 3-5 in regular season games against the Orange since they joined the ACC in 2014. Since 2013 when Syracuse joined the ACC, Duke and Syracuse have played 11 times and seven have been decided by one goal. The margin of victory in that span is 3.55 goals - which includes a 14-goal victory by Duke and a 12-goal win from Syracuse.
Special Teams Battle Awaits
Sunday's matchup will pit two of the nation's top special teams against each other. Syracuse features the nation's No. 2 man-up offense, scoring on 70 percent of its extra man opportunities. Duke enters the contest with the sixth-ranked man-down defense, letting in only three extra-man goals on 20 man-down situations.
Jake Naso Continues to Climb Faceoff Chart
Duke's primary faceoff man the past two seasons, Naso became the fifth Blue Devil to reach 500 wins at the dot earlier this season. With 549 to his name, he leads all current junior faceoff specialists and ranks eighth among active players in career victories. He is averaging 14.4 faceoff wins for his career and is on pace to climb into the top 30 in NCAA history in total wins this season. With 51 more wins, he will become the second Blue Devil to reach 600 in his career.
Duke Back at Koskinen for 3 Games
The Blue Devils return home for a quick turnaround against No. 7 Loyola March 10 at 7 p.m., on ACCNX. Duke welcomes North Carolina the following week, March 17 at 6 p.m., and hosts Air Force March 20 at 7 p.m.
To stay up to date with Blue Devils men's lacrosse, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeMLAX".
#GoDuke
Former Duke standout Brad Smith suited up for Whipsnakes for the thrilling PLL Championship Series last week. Games were played in the fast-paced Olympics format, featuring four eight-minute quarters on a 70-by-36 meter field. There is a 30-second shot clock and instead of taking faceoffs the goalie restarts play immediately following a goal.
Smith shined on both ends of the field, finishing with 21 points over the course of the four games. He regularly made the highlights with diving goals and even a one-handed scoop shot as he was pushed into the crease.
Brad Smith was built for Sixes ?????
— Whipsnakes Lacrosse Club (@PLLWhipsnakes) February 28, 2023
He racked up 2??1?? points in four games at the 2023 Championship Series ?? pic.twitter.com/oxeasCIUZ9
Brad Smith is a MENACE ?? @PLLWhipsnakes
— TLN ?? (@LacrosseNetwork) February 25, 2023
(via ESPN+) pic.twitter.com/CCROX9DSSv
Whipsnakes and Duke teammate Justin Guterding, Duke's all-time leading goal scorer, dropped in seven goals and seven assists in the Championship Series last week.
Nakeie Montgomery Joins SPIRE Academy
Two-time first-team All-American Nakeie Montgomery recently landed a spot as an Assistant Coach with SPIRE Academy. Montgomery joins SPIRE Academy Director of Lacrosse and Head Coach JD Harkey, as well as SPIRE Ambassador and lacrosse legend Kyle Harrison, to help build the new men's lacrosse program for the 2023-24 academic year.
"It's an honor to be chosen to help get the SPIRE Lacrosse program started," Montgomery stated. "I'm excited for this opportunity to work with players from all over and do everything I can to prepare them to excel both on and off the field."
SPIRE Academy is a comprehensive academic, athletic, personal skills and career development experience located within a world class event and wellness complex. To learn more about SPIRE click here.
"When searching for an Assistant Coach to help me build an exceptional culture, I sought someone who would lead by example," Coach Harkey explained. "Nakeie has an indomitable spirit, is full of confidence, sports a consistently positive attitude and is passionate in his pursuits. He is someone everybody wants on their team and elevates those around him. I'm thrilled to work together and excited to afford our student athletes a great role model."
Montgomery excelled on and off the field during his time as a Blue Devil. Garnering multiple All-America awards for his performance on the field, he also was named the Duke Senior Student-Athlete of the Year in 2021 for his efforts in the classroom as well as in the community nationwide. He is a Co-Founder of the student-athlete driven storytelling platform UNCUT Duke and was a Duke Student Council member.
Duke Opens ACC Play
The Blue Devils open their ACC slate Sunday at No. 20 Syracuse. Duke vaulted to No. 5 in the USILA Coaches' poll following its win at Penn last Saturday and looks to upend the Orange for the first time in Syracuse. The victory on the Quakers' home field was the first in Blue Devil history.
Duke is 34-18 in ACC regular season action under head coach John Danowski. The Blue Devils are 3-5 in regular season games against the Orange since they joined the ACC in 2014. Since 2013 when Syracuse joined the ACC, Duke and Syracuse have played 11 times and seven have been decided by one goal. The margin of victory in that span is 3.55 goals - which includes a 14-goal victory by Duke and a 12-goal win from Syracuse.
Special Teams Battle Awaits
Sunday's matchup will pit two of the nation's top special teams against each other. Syracuse features the nation's No. 2 man-up offense, scoring on 70 percent of its extra man opportunities. Duke enters the contest with the sixth-ranked man-down defense, letting in only three extra-man goals on 20 man-down situations.
Jake Naso Continues to Climb Faceoff Chart
Duke's primary faceoff man the past two seasons, Naso became the fifth Blue Devil to reach 500 wins at the dot earlier this season. With 549 to his name, he leads all current junior faceoff specialists and ranks eighth among active players in career victories. He is averaging 14.4 faceoff wins for his career and is on pace to climb into the top 30 in NCAA history in total wins this season. With 51 more wins, he will become the second Blue Devil to reach 600 in his career.
Duke Back at Koskinen for 3 Games
The Blue Devils return home for a quick turnaround against No. 7 Loyola March 10 at 7 p.m., on ACCNX. Duke welcomes North Carolina the following week, March 17 at 6 p.m., and hosts Air Force March 20 at 7 p.m.
To stay up to date with Blue Devils men's lacrosse, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeMLAX".
#GoDuke
Players Mentioned
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