DURHAM, N.C.—The first official USILA Division I Coaches Poll has been released and the Blue Devils come in at No. 2 behind reigning national champion Maryland. Duke, tops in the other two preseason polls, open the 2018 lacrosse season against No. 17 Air Force Feb. 3.
Both Face-Off Yearbook and Lacrosse Magazine pegged Duke No. 1 on its preseason lists as the Blue Devils return a wealth of talent from a team that advanced to the NCAA quarterfinals before losing to eventual NCAA runner-up Ohio State.
Maryland tops the list as it tries to repeat as national champions, while Duke, Albany, Denver, Yale round out the top five.