Although the Blue Devils coaching staff might not have to worry about the big-game environment, it should certainly be distressed at the sight of Cohen on the opposing team.

Cohen, who began his collegiate career with a hat trick and an assist in last season’s 9-6 upset over Duke, has scored a point in every collegiate game he has played.

“I’ve seen an improvement in [Jeff’s] desire to be a complete attacker this year,” Tillman said. “He’s making the guys around him better.”

“I don’t know that you can stop Jeff,” Danowski said. “He’s already one of the great shooters in the history of the game as a sophomore.”

After Cohen’s performance against the Blue Devils last season, it’s not surprising that Danowski has so much respect for the sophomore, who leads his team this season with 19 goals, averaging almost three per game.

“He’s not good at what he does—he’s great at what he does. Before it’s all over, he’s going to rewrite some record books,” Danowski said.

Duke chose to make the trip to the Northeast this year rather than playing Harvard at home because n increasing number of the Blue Devil players grew up in the area. The game will be a homecoming of sorts for Duke All-American senior attack Max Quinzani, who hails from nearby Duxbury, Mass. Many of his family and friends will be in attendance, and Duxbury High School’s lacrosse team will play a game at Harvard Stadium earlier in the day.

Although this game holds some special significance for the Blue Devils, Tillman recognizes how important this game is to the Harvard lacrosse program.

“To be able to [play lacrosse] Friday night in front of their peers and in front of a great crowd, in a great stadium and against a great opponent, what could be better?”