Completed Event: Men's Lacrosse versus #1 Princeton on May 23, 2026 , Loss , 7, to, 14
/
Final
Men's Lacrosse
7
vs #1 Princeton
14
Photo by: Stonewall Photography
Matthews Named USA Lacrosse High School National Player of the Year
7/13/2026 10:20:00 AM | Men's Lacrosse
DURHAM, N.C.—Duke men's lacrosse incoming freshman Bennett Matthews recently was named the USA Lacrosse High School Boys' National Player of the Year. He is the first player from New Hampshire to collect the honor.
The talented midfielder also was USA Lacrosse High School Boys' Northeast Region Player of the Year and the national Midfielder of the Year. Ranked third in the 2026 class by Inside Lacrosse, Matthews posted 71 goals and 50 assists en route to leading Bedford High School to the state championship game. Matthews registered six goals and two assists in the title match.
Matthews started all four years at Bedford and was a true two-way middie for the Bulldogs. He also starred on the football team as the quarterback, earning Gatorade Football Player of the Year recognition. He was responsible for 38 touchdowns and this past season, completing 70 percent of his passes for 1,334 yards and 17 touchdowns through the air. He added 1,226 rushing yards on the ground and defensively picked off a pair of passes while leading Bedford to the state title.
Standing at 6-2 and 195 pounds, Matthews is a physical midfielder on the lacrosse field and has been the top player in the state of New Hampshire for the past three seasons. He finished his scholastic lacrosse career with 375 points from 235 goals and 140 assists. His 235 goals rank fourth in New Hampshire history, while his 375 points are fifth all-time. Both totals are the most by any Bedford athlete.
The Blue Devils welcome 11 freshmen to the program and 13 newcomers overall. Duke features three of the top five in Inside Lacrosse's Class of 2026 rankings and seven in the top 50.
#GoDuke
The talented midfielder also was USA Lacrosse High School Boys' Northeast Region Player of the Year and the national Midfielder of the Year. Ranked third in the 2026 class by Inside Lacrosse, Matthews posted 71 goals and 50 assists en route to leading Bedford High School to the state championship game. Matthews registered six goals and two assists in the title match.
Matthews started all four years at Bedford and was a true two-way middie for the Bulldogs. He also starred on the football team as the quarterback, earning Gatorade Football Player of the Year recognition. He was responsible for 38 touchdowns and this past season, completing 70 percent of his passes for 1,334 yards and 17 touchdowns through the air. He added 1,226 rushing yards on the ground and defensively picked off a pair of passes while leading Bedford to the state title.
Standing at 6-2 and 195 pounds, Matthews is a physical midfielder on the lacrosse field and has been the top player in the state of New Hampshire for the past three seasons. He finished his scholastic lacrosse career with 375 points from 235 goals and 140 assists. His 235 goals rank fourth in New Hampshire history, while his 375 points are fifth all-time. Both totals are the most by any Bedford athlete.
The Blue Devils welcome 11 freshmen to the program and 13 newcomers overall. Duke features three of the top five in Inside Lacrosse's Class of 2026 rankings and seven in the top 50.
#GoDuke
Saturday, May 23
Friday, May 22
Tuesday, May 12
Monday, May 11
