PHILADELPHIA – Time to dance with the devils!
 
The University of Pennsylvania (0-1) men's lacrosse team heads to No. 5/5 Duke (3-1) for its first road contest of 2019. Opening faceoff at Koskinen Stadium is set for 3 p.m. on February 23.
 
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All-Time Series
The Quakers hold a 5-3 lead in the all-time series with Duke, entering the weekend with a 2-3 record in Durham. Penn's last win on the road against Duke came in 1971 when the Quakers secured an 8-7 win in double overtime.
 
Remember 2018?
We sure do. Simon Mathias and Kevin McGeary scored seven seconds apart late in the fourth quarter to give Penn its only lead of the day – a 10-9 advantage – as Penn knocked off the No. 1-ranked Blue Devils at Franklin Field. McGeary had three goals in the game, while Mathias had a four-point day. Connor Keating had five ground balls, while Mark Evanchick had four. Goalkeeper Reed Junkin made 10 saves as part of Penn's first-ever win over the No. 1-ranked team.
 
Mike Murphy vs. Ranked Opponents
The loss to the Terrapins in the opener drops Mike Murphy to 17-43 all-time against USILA Top-20 opponents. Murphy-led teams have picked up three wins over ranked Duke teams since he took over in 2010, including the win last year and victories over a No. 14-ranked Duke team in 2013 and a No. 10-ranked Blue Devils club in 2011.
 
Trio Of All-Ivy Players Return
The Quakers return three All-Ivy selections from 2018, led first-team All-Ivy defender Mark Evanchick. He is joined by senior attackman Simon Mathias (second-team All-Ivy) and senior midfielder Tyler Dunn (honorable mention All-Ivy) as returning all-league selections.
 
Back For More
Seven of Penn's starters from last season return, including six who started 10+ games. Senior goalkeeper Reed Junkin has made 43 career starts in goal, while Mathias has 43 career starts on attack. Overall, 20 players who played in at least half of Penn's 15 games last season return for 2019.
 
Simon Says…
Few have been more reliable over a playing career than Simon Mathias. In 44 career games played, Mathias has 85 goals and 54 assists for 139 points – an average of 3.1 points-per-game. He ranks second among active Division I players with a 44-game point streak and ranks third among active players with a 21-game goal scoring streak. His 85 career goals are tied for No. 8 all-time at Penn – one away from No. 7. His 139 career points rank No. 11 – two away from tying for the No. 10 spot on Penn's all-time list.
 
Gallagher's Greatest Hits
How's this for a debut? Junior Kyle Gallagher went 21-for-27 at the X in his first career game after transferring from Hofstra. His .778 faceoff percentage ranks Penn No. 1 as a team in faceoff winning percentage and has Gallagher ranked No. 4 individually. His 21 faceoffs won last week rank No. 4 in the country in a single game this season.
 
Relying On Reed
Senior Reed Junkin has played in 44 career games in goal, manning the cage for over 2,593 minutes. The 2016 second-team All-Ivy selection and Ivy League Co-Rookie of the Year alongside teammate Simon Mathias, Junkin has earned three career Ivy League Player of the Week honors. He enters his senior season with a .507 save percentage.
 
On The Mark
Junior defender Mark Evanchick has developed into one of the Ivy League's premier defenders. After appearing in just three games as a freshman, Evanchick started all 15 games at close defense last season and often drew the assignment of the opposing team's top offensive threat. He finished with eight caused turnover and 19 ground balls last season.
 
Man-Up Moves
Penn was 12-for-29 on the man-up in 2018, with Adam Goldner accounting for half of Penn's EMO goals. Penn's .414 percentage on the man-up was No. 17 in the country last season. The Quakers were 1-for-2 on the extra-man against Maryland in the opener.
 
Dissecting Duke
The Blue Devils opened 2019 as the preseason favorite in the ACC and ranked No. 2 in the preseason USIAL poll … A 13-9 loss to High Point dropped Duke down momentarily, but the Blue Devils responded with a 10-9 win over then-No. 5 Denver in Durham last weekend … Joey Manown had the game-winner for Duke, scoring with 0:07 remaining after Denver had tied the game with 0:19 to play … Duke enters the weekend ranked No. 20 in the country in Scoring Offense, averaging 12.8 goals per game … The Blue Devils are shooting at a .347 percentage which ranks No. 12 in the country … Bryan Smith ranks No. 15 in the country in face-off percentage (.627; 52-of-83) and is No. 10 in ground balls per game (8.5) … Sophomore attacker Joe Robertson leads the Blue Devils in goals (13) and points (17) .. Duke has outscored opponents, 29-19, in the second half of games this season.