DURHAM, N.C. – Duke senior
Aidan Maguire and junior
Benn Johnston have been named to the USA Lacrosse Preseason All-America first team to headline the Blue Devils four preseason All-America selections.
Senior
Charlie Johnson garnered third team honors, while
Max Sloat was an honorable mention pick by the magazine. All four garnered All-America honors from both the USILA and USA Lacrosse last spring with Maguire being a consensus first-team choice by all organizations.
Johnson and Maguire return to anchor the Duke defense after both had breakout seasons. Starting for the first time in his career, Johnson made a big splash in anchoring Duke's close defense. The Riverside, Connecticut native led the team with 32 caused turnovers while drawing the opponents' top attackmen throughout the season. His 32 takeaways were second all-time in Duke single-season history.
Maguire is a menace as a short stick defensive midfielder, collecting a Duke defensive middie record 26 caused turnovers and picking up 57 ground balls. Named the National Midfielder of the Year, Maguire was the Co-ACC Defensive Player of the Year and most recently was the lone collegiate player invited to the USA Lacrosse Men's Senior National Team training camp.
Johnston and Sloat were a dynamic duo for the Blue Devils on the first midfield last season, combining for 77 points from 54 goals and 23 assists. Sloat had a career year, finishing the campaign ranked third on the team in scoring with 26 goals and 16 assist for 42 points – 15 more than his previous year.
A USILA All-America second team pick, Johnston was second on the team with 28 goals and picked up 25 ground balls to lead all offensive players. A team captain, Johnston has started all but four games in his career and is on pace to join the 100-point club this season.
The Blue Devils open the 2026 season Jan. 31 against Bellarmine. Opening faceoff is set for 12 p.m. on Freeman Field at Koskinen Stadium.
To stay up to date with Blue Devils men's lacrosse, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeMLAX".
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