PITTSBURGH -- Head coach Chase Brooks announced Duquesne's eight-man 2016 recruiting class on Tuesday.

"I am very happy to announce the addition of eight new Dukes for 2016," said Brooks. "One year ago, we announced a class of recruits that had certain characteristics that we felt were important to help us compete for a title. The three factors we focused on in assembling that group were quality character, a winning mentality, and versatility. We followed that same philosophy in assembling this class. The eight student-athletes we have committed to play for us this season embody what we were looking for and will represent Duquesne University very well."

KALIM AMOKACHI
Attended high school and played club for Shattuck-St. Mary's in the US Soccer Development Academy ... scored seven goals in 2014-15 in leading SSM to a second place finish in the USSDA Mid-America Division standings ... helped SSM earn a spot in the Academy Playoffs.

Chase Brooks on Kalim Amokachi: "Kalim is a true target forward. Hard working, tough, strong, technical and can finish around goal. His size and strength will make him a handful for defenders in our conference and I am looking forward to him being on the field this coming fall."

NAZIM AMOKACHI
Attended high school and played club for Shattuck-St. Mary's in the US Soccer Development Academy, where he scored eight goals in the 2014-15 ... led SSM to a second place finish in the USSDA Mid-America Division standings as well as a spot in the Academy Playoffs.

Chase Brooks on Nazim Amokachi: "Nazim is a 2015 top 150 recruit. He is a winger that loves to attack and can both create and finish around the box. He is a dynamic player that will make us better instantly. He and his twin brother, Kalim, both enrolled at Duquesne this past fall but were unable to compete due to NCAA complications. They will both be eligible to compete this coming fall and we are looking forward to having them out there."

NOTE: Kalim and Nazim's father, Daniel Amokachi, was a highly-decorated striker from 1989 until 2005 ... nicknamed "The Bull", Daniel scored a pair of second-half goals to lift Everton over Tottenham Hotspur in the semfinals of the 1995 F.A. Cup ... Everton went on to defeat Manchester United in the final at Wembley Stadium ... an Olympic gold-medalist, Daniel scored 14 goals in 45 appearances for the Nigerian National Team ... he found the back of the net in Nigeria's 3-2 win over Argentina in the 1996 Olympic final ... Daniel started his career with Ranchers Bees before joining Club Bruge in Belgium ... he then moved on to Everton in the Premier League, before playing for Besiktas in Turkey and initially finishing his career in the United States with the MLS Colorado Rapids.

ZACH HALL
Plays Club for St. Louis Scott Gallagher Metro Academy ... started as a freshman for O'Fallon Township High School and helped the team to the regional final ... played in the Development Academy with SLSG Metro from his sophomore through senior years ... currently serving as team captain ... scored five goals for SLSC Metro this past fall ... National Honor Society member.

Chase Brooks on Zach Hall: "Zach is a versatile defender that can be an impact guy for us in a number of roles. The combination of his size, athletic and technical qualities are quite impressive and couple those with his work ethic, dedication, and drive to be the best he can be and I think we have found a student-athlete that could be remembered at Duquesne for a long time."

OLAV HOVSTAD
Transfer from the University of New Mexico ... redshirted in 2014 and saw action in a pair of games for the Lobos in 2015 ... has played club soccer for FK Jerv of Norwegian second Division since he was six years old.... spent the last two seasons with FK Jerv's first division team ... was named to the C-USA Commissioner's Honor Roll in 2014.

Chase Brooks on Olav Hovstad: "Olav enrolled this spring and has been in training with us already. He has the technical tools and education in the game that we love. He is a tall left-footed winger that loves to attack. His experience as a student-athlete at the University of New Mexico will benefit him greatly as he transitions and looks to make an impact in the A-10."

RYAN LANDRY
Played Club for Arsenal FC of Pennsylvania ... had 50 goals - including a school record seven in a game - and 22 assists at Shaler Area HS ... was a two-time team captain and three-time MVP ... was named a Soccer All-Star by both the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and Pittsburgh Tribune-Review ... was part of four PA West State Cup Championship teams ... member of 2013 & 2014 ODP Region 1 International and Interregional Teams ... National Honor Society member.

Chase Brooks on Ryan Landry: "Ryan is a gritty, hard working, athletic player that can be deployed on either flank as a back or a winger. He has a great engine and reminds me a lot of one of our current players, Chris Alescio. Ryan is one of the top players coming out of this area for the 2016 class and it is always a goal of ours to get the best local talent! We are happy we were able to keep him close to home and I can't wait to see him in Navy and Red."

CONNOR MATHES
Named Class 6A first team all-state and Class 6A Goalkeeper of the Year by the Kansas Soccer Coaches Association ... was in goal for four overtimes and two rounds of penalty kicks in Blue Valley Northwest's state championship win over Washburn Rural ... allowed 12 goals in 18 matches (0.66 gaa.) as a senior ... BV Northwest finished the season 19-1-0 and ranked No. 8 nationally by Top Drawer Soccer ... was named to the 2015 NSCAA Fall Boys High School All-Central Region Team.

Chase Brooks on Connor Mathes: "Connor came into the picture late for us but what we saw we couldn't ignore. He has the quickness, shot stopping ability, and work ethic that we like and more importantly, he has tremendous character and drive. We are looking forward to him bringing that mentality to our program."

ROBBIE McKELVEY
Was the starting goalkeeper for Columbus Crew SC Academy in 2015-16 ... played for the Classics Eagles from 2012-14 ... the Eagles were Ohio South State Cup Champions in 2013 and finalists in 2014 ... was a member of ODP Ohio South for three years where he attended regional camp ... selected to play in the prestigious Manchester United Cup in 2011 ... played for Team Ohio FC Cosmos from 2005-11, where he was part of four Ohio South State Cup championship teams ... from 2008-11, the Cosmos were ranked No. 1 in the country by National Soccer Ranking.

Chase Brooks on Robbie McKelvey: "Robbie joins us from the Crew SC Academy. He has great size and presence in goal and we think he is just beginning to grasp the depth of the position. Robbie's better days are ahead of him and I look forward to seeing him grow and mature into the player he will become."

OWEN ROSSI
Played Club for Bethesda Soccer Club Blue 97 ... helped Bethesda to a Potomac Memorial Tournament Championship in 2015 ... three-year varsity player for The Heights School ... led the team in goals and assists ... winner of the Golden Boot Award as a senior ... also led his Bethesda Soccer Club in goals scored.

Chase Brooks on Owen Rossi: "Owen has the pace, quickness and technical ability to be very dangerous in this league. He is a guy that loves to get to goal and that North-South ability will lend itself well to our program. Owen can play anywhere in the front three and attack out of midfield as well. I am looking forward to watching his progression on the Bluff."

2016 DUQUESNE MEN'S SOCCER RECRUITING CLASS

* - transfer from New Mexico