It is hard to believe that Duke goalie Aaron Fenton, the NCAA Division I leader in goals-against-average and save percentage, had to fight for his starting position on the men’s lacrosse team just last year.
The fifth-year senior out of Wynnewood, Pa., struggled during his first three years on the team. He was forced to red shirt his freshman year due to a wrist injury and played in only one contest prior to last season.
After the 2003 season, Fenton was set to be the number one goalkeeper in 2004. But when the Duke coaching staff was able to nab top goalie recruit Dan Loftus the starting job slipped from Fenton’s grasp.
“I just felt like I was going to get my opportunity,” Fenton said. “I had to just keep showing coach that it didn’t bother me that a freshman started over me.”
He did not have to wait long. After a March 6 loss to Maryland last year, the coaching staff decided to let Fenton start the team’s fourth game of the season against Loyola. One win and 18 saves later the job was Fenton’s and he has started every game since.
“The whole time I was thinking, ‘There’s no way I worked this hard my entire life playing lacrosse and that I may not get to play in college,’” Fenton said.
He has made the most of his opportunity this year, leading the Blue Devils to a No. 2 ranking and a sparkling 12-1 record.
The most impressive performance of his career may have come against Maryland this year. With the Blue Devils’ record standing at 3-0 and the team clinging to a 9-8 lead against the then No. 5 Terrapins, Fenton made a dramatic save to preserve the lead. The Blue Devils went on to win 10-8 and would go on to capture a school-record 11 games in a row.
“Aaron is just such a presence in the net,” sophomore defender Tony McDevitt said. “We almost take it for granted how consistent he’s been the past two years.”
Opposing offenses now enter contests knowing they must contend with one of the nation’s best. Fenton only allows 5.87 goals per game and saves almost 65 percent of the shots he faces.
“It definitely makes it easier on us to have him back there,” McDevitt said. “We know that if we happen to miss an assignment every now and again Aaron is there to get our backs.”
With Fenton in goal, not only can Duke’s defense play more aggressively, its offense also has more opportunity to focus their abilities on scoring.
“People look up to him,” freshman Zach Greer said. “We have a lot more confidence on ‘O’ to freelance because we know our defense is back there.”
Having a Fenton on the Duke Lacrosse team is nothing new for head coach Mike Pressler. Aaron’s older brother Zach and twin Ben both graduated last year. Zach, a defenseman, was a 5th year senior, which gave him the opportunity to play an extra season with his brother in the cage.
The team will have to make a large transition next year, not only with a new starting goalie, but also to be without a member of the Fenton family for the first time in six years.
“[Aaron’s departure] is going to be a huge loss,” Greer said. “He not only brings experience and great play in the goal, but he brings great leadership out there.”
For the present, the Blue Devils are thinking about making this year special. Duke has only made the Final Four one time in its history—back in 1997—and for the first time since then, the pieces are in place for a deep postseason run.
“I think we have a ton to prove to everybody out there,” Fenton said. “I mean everybody’s starting to realize this Duke team could be something. I’m not saying I expect to get to the Final Four, but I think we’re good enough that we have the opportunity to get there.”
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