Pittsburgh, Pa. – In a vote of league head coaches, sophomore
Ask Ekeland of the Duquesne University men's soccer team was named the 2023 Atlantic 10 Midfielder of the Year Monday.
Ekeland was also named to 2023 All-Atlantic 10 First Team and earned a spot on the 2023 Atlantic 10 All-Academic Team, while junior forward
Jayden Da was tabbed to the 2023 All-Atlantic 10 Second Team.
In 18 games for the Dukes in 2023, each as a member of the starting lineup, Ekeland finished second in the A-10 in goals (12) and points (27). He also produced five game-winning markers, which led the conference along with CJ Coppola of Saint Louis. In addition to pacing the A-10 in game-winning goals, the five for Ekeland in 2023 tied the Duquesne single-season mark that was originally established by Steve Mellor (2003-05) in 2003.
Seven of Ekeland's 12 goals this season came against conference foes, which led the A-10. He also paced the circuit against conference opposition in game-wining goals (4) and points (14).
An undeclared business major and a native of Stavanger, Norway, Ekeland has maintained a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.92 in earning a spot on the 2023 Atlantic 10 All-Academic Team.
During his two seasons on The Bluff, Ekeland has started each of the 37 matches for Duquesne and averages over a point a game. He owns career totals of 20 goals, four assists and 44 points while logging 2,691 minutes for the Dukes and enters the 2024 season ranked 10th all-time in program history for points.
Da, a native of Rockville, Md., appeared in 16 games for Duquesne in 2023, earning 13 starting assignments. He had a breakout year offensively, tallying seven goals, including three game-winning markers, and three assists for 17 points. Combined, Ekeland (50) and Da (35) posted 85 shots for the Dukes, including 42 on goal.
Led by head coach
Chase Brooks, Duquesne finished with an overall record of 8-7-3 (.528) in 2023, including a mark of 4-2-2 (.625) in the Atlantic 10.
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