Deberghes caps first year at CU with All-Heart First Team selection

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - As the 2026 postseason progresses in the Heart of America Athletic Conference, Clarke men's lacrosse junior Theo Deberghes was named an All-Heart First Team selection announced by conference officials on Saturday morning.

Deberghes joined the Pride as a transfer from Adams State University prior to the start of the 2025-26 school year and impressed in his first season in Dubuque as the starting long stick midfielder for CU's 2026 squad leading the team in caused turnovers and ground balls.

The junior from Howell, N.J. was top 10 in the NAIA in both of those primary defensive stat categories finishing the regular season with 44 caused turnovers, which was a top two mark before postseason play but now sits fourth, while his ground ball total finished at 98 to currently sit in 10th in the entire country among qualified NAIA players.

Part of the midfield group in the faceoff unit for Clarke, Deberghes helped primary faceoff man Josh Pote and the rest of the Pride faceoff takers win over 62 percent of their draws on the season to create plenty of possession time for CU that allowed Deberghes to also help contribute six points on the season with five goals and an assist.

His first three goals of the season came in exciting fashion as his first two came in a home matchup against Carroll University when both of his shots came from beyond midfield, the first in his own defensive zone and the second to beat the third quarter buzzer from right around the midfield stripe.

That third goal of the season helped the Pride earn their first victory in conference play when he produced the double overtime winner at Midland on Mar. 21 to help Deberghes earn his first Heart Player of the Week honor, receiving the Defensive Player of the Week recognition on Mar. 23.

Full Heart Release: https://heart.prestosports.com/sports/mlax/2025-26/releases/20260502dg76j4

Deberghes will highlight a young group of returning members to the Clarke men's lacrosse team that finished 2026 4-8 overall and 3-6 in the Heart.