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: Saskatchewan Rush
Naso Continues Quest for NLL Title in Finals Series Opener Friday
5/15/2025 10:00:00 AM | Men's Lacrosse
DURHAM, N.C.—Former Duke men's lacrosse star Jake Naso continues his quest for the National Lacrosse League title this weekend as he and the Saskatchewan Rush open a best-of-three finals series against the Buffalo Bandits Friday, May 16 in Buffalo.
The two-time reigning NLL Champion Bandits will host the opening game at KeyBank Center at 7:30 p.m. The series moves to the SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon May 18 at 8 pm. The deciding game, if necessary, will be held in Buffalo, May 25 at 4:30 p.m.
Naso, drafted in the third round with the No. 34 pick, has not missed a beat in transitioning to the box lacrosse game. The two-time All-American finished the regular season ranked third in the league in faceoff percentage – 214-of-349 for 61 percent – and sixth in faceoff wins per game (14.3). He also had two goals en route to leading the Rush to the second seed in the playoffs.
In the playoffs, Naso has remained his steady self, winning 44-of-72 (61 percent) of his faceoffs and scoring a goal as the Rush outscored its opponents 39-25 in playoff rounds. After cruising to a 13-9 win over the Georgia Swarm in the second round, Saskatchewan swept Halifax Thunderbirds in the semifinals to clinch a spot in the finals. Naso picked up five ground balls and helped Saskatchewan win 12-of-22 faceoffs in the narrow 10-9 victory, clinching a spot in the finals.
The Buffalo Bandits finished the regular season with a league-best 13-5 record, scoring 242 goals. Connor Farrell is the Bandits' faceoff man, winning 53 percent of his faceoffs and picking up 129 loose balls.
In addition to the opening game of the NLL Finals, the National Lacrosse League also will announce its Most Valuable Player, Rookie of the Year, First Team All-NLL, Second Team All-NLL and All-Rookie Team Friday, May 16. Duke's Dyson Williams and Brennan O'Neill both are finalists for the Rookie of the Year award after finishing one and two in rookie scoring, respectively.
The 2025 NLL Finals will be televised on TSN in Canada and stream on ESPN+ in the U.S. Game 3, if necessary, will be televised on ESPN2. TSN+ in Canada and NLL+ internationally will also carry the Finals. Locally, CW23 Buffalo will carry Games 1 and 2. The broadcasts will feature the commentary team of Teddy Jenner, Pat Gregoire, and Ashley Docking.
To stay up to date with Blue Devils men's lacrosse, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeMLAX".
#GoDuke
The two-time reigning NLL Champion Bandits will host the opening game at KeyBank Center at 7:30 p.m. The series moves to the SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon May 18 at 8 pm. The deciding game, if necessary, will be held in Buffalo, May 25 at 4:30 p.m.
Naso, drafted in the third round with the No. 34 pick, has not missed a beat in transitioning to the box lacrosse game. The two-time All-American finished the regular season ranked third in the league in faceoff percentage – 214-of-349 for 61 percent – and sixth in faceoff wins per game (14.3). He also had two goals en route to leading the Rush to the second seed in the playoffs.
In the playoffs, Naso has remained his steady self, winning 44-of-72 (61 percent) of his faceoffs and scoring a goal as the Rush outscored its opponents 39-25 in playoff rounds. After cruising to a 13-9 win over the Georgia Swarm in the second round, Saskatchewan swept Halifax Thunderbirds in the semifinals to clinch a spot in the finals. Naso picked up five ground balls and helped Saskatchewan win 12-of-22 faceoffs in the narrow 10-9 victory, clinching a spot in the finals.
The Buffalo Bandits finished the regular season with a league-best 13-5 record, scoring 242 goals. Connor Farrell is the Bandits' faceoff man, winning 53 percent of his faceoffs and picking up 129 loose balls.
In addition to the opening game of the NLL Finals, the National Lacrosse League also will announce its Most Valuable Player, Rookie of the Year, First Team All-NLL, Second Team All-NLL and All-Rookie Team Friday, May 16. Duke's Dyson Williams and Brennan O'Neill both are finalists for the Rookie of the Year award after finishing one and two in rookie scoring, respectively.
The 2025 NLL Finals will be televised on TSN in Canada and stream on ESPN+ in the U.S. Game 3, if necessary, will be televised on ESPN2. TSN+ in Canada and NLL+ internationally will also carry the Finals. Locally, CW23 Buffalo will carry Games 1 and 2. The broadcasts will feature the commentary team of Teddy Jenner, Pat Gregoire, and Ashley Docking.
To stay up to date with Blue Devils men's lacrosse, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeMLAX".
#GoDuke
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