PITTSBURGH - Head coach Chase Brooks has announced the core of Duquesne's 2023 men's soccer recruiting class. The group of 13, two of whom participated in training this spring (Indiana transfer Sam Bennett and freshman Ben Pleavin), includes six transfers and seven freshmen.

Six of the newcomers have international roots.

Chase Brooks on the newcomers:

    "This is a strong group of student-athletes that we are adding in this year. They have the athletic and technical abilities to succeed in this challenging conference and even more importantly; they all have tremendous character which is vital to our program as we push for championships. The addition of these student-athletes to the already strong group of returning guys, makes for one of the deepest squads we have had on the Bluff during my time. We are excited to get the group back in August and look forward to putting in the work and achieving our goals."

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SAM BENNETT
R-So.. • 6-0, 180 • Defender
Lancaster, Pa./Hempfield (Indiana)
Club: PA Classics

• Was a redshirt freshman at Indiana in 2021 and saw action in one match (14 minutes vs. Trine) for IU's 2022 College Cup runner-up team.
• Played in 88 matches with 86 starts for PA Classics, where he scored eight times from the back line.
• Was his club team's captain.
• Son of Matt and Amy Bennett.
• Has a sister, Lindsey, and brother, Drew.
• His father, Matt, played soccer at Shippensburg.
• Was a two-year letterman for the Hempfield basketball team.
• Sam plays piano.
• Born on December 12, 2002.
 
Head coach Chase Brooks: "Sam joined us in the spring and did quite well during that time. His youth pedigree is solid and we are excited to see him realize his true potential as a player here at Duquesne."
 

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HUGO BERVILLE
So. • 6-4, 195 • Defender
Paris, France / Lycee Maurice Ravel (Emerson)
Club: Paris 13 Atletico

• Comes to Duquesne after spending last season at Division III Emerson College in Boston, Mass.
• Was one of four to play in all 19 matches (eight starts) for the first Emerson side to reach the NEWMAC championship game (10-3-6, 6-1-3) in 2022.
• Totaled a pair of goals and two assists on six shots (four on net) as a sophomore defensive midfielder/center back.
• Began playing soccer at the age of seven.
• Competed for Paris 13 Atletico in the French third division)
• Born on April 21, 2003 in Villejuif, Paris, France.
 
Head coach Chase Brooks: "Hugo has great size and technique. His character is amazing and we are excited he is joining our family this fall."
 

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PEPO BRAVO
R-So. • 5-7, 155 • Midfielder
Madrid, Spain / Sek el castillo (FAU)
Club: EFMO Boadilla

• Played in six matches (114 minutes) last season for FAU.
• Logged a season-high 49 minutes at Florida Gulf Coast.
• Had one shot attempt in his collegiate debut vs. Lynn (August 28, 2022).
• Did not see action for the Owls in 2021.
• Earned a pair of Conference USA Commissioner's Academic Medals and was also part of the C-USA Commissioner's Honor Roll.
• Played for EFMO Boadilla for coach Lucas Lucena.
• Recognized as the best player of his tournament (ballester)
• Played for a Costa Blanca Cup winner.
• Attended Sek el castillo for school.
• Son of Inmaculada Fernández Gil-Fournier and Pedro Bravo Jiménez.
• Has an older sister, Maria, and older brother, Mauro.
• His father played third division soccer in Spain.
• Pepo, who played golf and tennis as a youth, played tennis in high school.
• Born on October 28, 2003 in Madrid.
 
Head coach Chase Brooks: "Pepo is a hardworking, technical midfielder that has a strong desire for success. We are happy he chose to join us and look forward to seeing the mentality he brings to our program."
 

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JACOB CONTI
Fr. • 6-1, 175 • Goalkeeper
Pittsburgh, Pa./The Kiski School
Club: Arsenal FC

• Had a .56 goals against average and a 90 save percentage as part of three Class 3A section championship teams.
• Son of Tracey and Christopher Conti.
• Has five brothers and one sister (fifth-oldest).
• His father, Christopher, played soccer at Howard.
• His brother, Matthew, played soccer for Elmhurst and Chicago Nation FC.
• His uncle, Daryl Jones, played football for Indiana University of Pa.
• Jacob can play three instruments: guitar, piano and ukulele.
• Also played basketball in high school.
• Born on December 13, 2004.

Head coach Chase Brooks: "Jacob is a long, athletic goalkeeper. We are excited that he has chosen to continue his development with our program and are looking forward to seeing him push his limits."
 

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EDDIE HUDSON III
Fr. • 6-3, 175 • Defender
Farmington Hills, Mich./University of Detroit Jesuit
Club: Michigan Wolves

• Played for a 2021 Michigan State Cup finalist team.
• Son of Heidi and Eddie Hudson II.
• Has an older sister, Zoe, who played in 49 career soccer matches as part of four Mid-American Conference championship teams at Bowling Green (2018-22). She has since signed with first-division Portuguese side Valadares Gaia FC.
• His father played basketball at Wheeling Jesuit and his grandfather played football at Western Michigan.
• Born on October 11, 2005.
 
Head coach Chase Brooks: "Eddie has a lot of great tools to work with, he has the size, technique, and athleticism that will give him a chance to do big things on the Bluff."
 

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JACK JENNINGS
Fr. • 5-10, 155 • Defender
Dublin, Ohio/Dublin Coffman
Club: Ohio Premier

• Earned First Team All-Elite Clubs National League honors.
• Participated in the ECNL National Selection Game and ECNL National Camp.
• Was part of a 2020 Ohio Valley ECNL Championship team.
• Earned second team all-conference honors.
• Son of Denise and Chuck Jennings.
• Has an older sister, Claire.
• His father ran track for Columbia.
• Born on January 17, 2005.
 
Head coach Chase Brooks: "Jack is a technical, hardworking defender. We are looking forward to seeing what kind of mark he can make on our program."
 

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GRANT McINTOSH
So. • 6-0, 165 • Defender
Plano, Texas/Plano West (Akron)
Club: Solar MLS Next

• First-year transfer from Akron (redshirted in 2022).
• Helped Solar to a National Championship game appearance in the fall 2020/spring 2021 MLS Next season.
• Was part of a Dallas Cup U19 championship team.
• Son of Amy and Ian McIntosh.
• Has an older brother, Cole.
• His family hails from South Africa.
• Born on July 22, 2002 in Henderson, Nev.
 
Head coach Chase Brooks: "Grant is a versatile defender with great leadership potential … he has all the tools to make an impact in the A-10 and has learned a great deal about college soccer success during his time at Akron."
 

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ZOLTAN NAGY
Jr. • 6-6, 215 • Goalkeeper
Lakewood, Ohio/St. Edward (Baldwin Wallace)
Club: Team Challenger

• Played both soccer and basketball at Division III Baldwin Wallace.
• Started all 30 games he appeared in two soccer seasons Baldwin Wallace (10 shutouts in 2,236 total minutes).
• Started 18 of 19 games (1,519 minutes) for BW as a sophomore.
• Was 11-5-2 as a starter - including seven shutouts - with 18 goals allowed in 18 games in 2022.
• Was second in the Ohio Athletic Conference in total saves (80), save percentage (.816) and saves per game (4.44) in earning Third Team All-OAC honors in 2022.
• Was named the team's Rookie of the Year as a freshman after registering 45 saves in 12 starts.
• Started 20 of 24 games as sophomore forward on the basketball team where he averaged 3.5 points and 4.9 rebounds/g.
• Scored a career high 12 points vs. Marietta and grabbed a career-best 13 rebounds vs. Trine.
• Four-year soccer letterman and two-year captain at St. Edward.
• Was named All-Ohio and First Team All-Greater Cleveland.
• Son of Mary Lou and Attilla Nagy.
• Is the youngest of four children.
• His sister, Olivia, was a three-time All-American center at John Carroll (2019-22) where she set school records for career blocks (366/4.1 bpg.), rebounds (952/10.6 rpg.) and field goal percentage (.570).
• His brother, Attila Jr., was a four-year soccer letterman at Baldwin Wallace (2018-21).
• His cousin, Mike O'Malley, was a two-year captain for the Duquesne football team (2016-19). Mike was the starting defensive end for DU's 2018 Northeast Conference Championship team (9-4, 5-1). The '18 Dukes posted the program's first FCS Playoff win at Towson.
• Born on March 19, 2003 in Cleveland, Ohio.
 
Head coach Chase Brooks: "Zoltan is a big presence in goal. He is a quality shot-stopper and one that we are excited to see what kind of impact he can make."
 

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ANDREAS NYGAARD
Fr. • 6-2, 200 • Goalkeeper
Skjetten, Norway/Wang Toppidrett Romerike
Club: Rune Haavelmoen

• Played club for both Lillestroem SK and Rune Haavelmoen.
• Son of Laila and Jan Terje Nygaard.
• Is the youngest of three (older brother and sister).
• Born on January 16, 2004.

Head coach Chase Brooks: "Andreas has the size, strength, and technique to make him one of the best goalkeepers in the A-10."
 

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CHRIS PHILLBIN
Fr. • 5-11, 155 • Defender
Youngstown, Ohio/Western Reserve Academy
Club: Black Rock FC

• Helped Western Reserve Academy to a 14-2-4 record and No. 1 Division 3 state ranking for the entire 2022 season.
• Earned first team all-district and all-league honors.
• Son of Anita and Terry Philibin.
• Has two brothers (Andrew & Brian) and two sisters (Lizzie & Katie).
• Lizzie played soccer at Michigan, Ball State and Kent State and is currently an assistant coach at Mercyhurst.
• Is a four-year honor roll student.
• Also played football and basketball in high school.
• Born on February 16, 2005.
 
Head coach Chase Brooks: "Chris is an attack-minded outside back with a ton of potential. We look forward to seeing him develop and push for time."
 

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BEN PLEAVIN
Fr. • 6-1, 160 • Midfielder
Chester, England/St. David's

• Enjoys golfing in his spare time.
• Son of Jayne and Mark Pleavin.
• Born on October 10, 2002 in Wrexham.
 
Head coach Chase Brooks: "Ben joined us this spring and it was clear from day one that his desire, and ability, to make an impact is there. He has a great playing background and we are excited to see what he can do this fall."
 

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KIRIL SMIRNOV
Jr. • 6-4, 190 • Defender
Odesa, Ukraine/Mira Loma (Folsom Lake, Calif. College)

• Played in nine matches with five starts for Folsom College in 2022.
• Helped Folsom to a 13-3-5 record and Big 8 Conference Championship in 2021.
• Played Club for FC Arsenal Kyiv, FC Peremozhets Kyiv and FC Sporting Premier while in Ukraine.
• Also played for FC Sporting's San Juan California Cup and NorCal League Championship teams.
• Son of Tetiana Afanasiadi and Sergii Smirnov.
• Also participated in track and field in high school.
• Kiril speaks three languages (Ukrainian, Russian and English) and is learning Spanish.
• Was on the honor roll at Folsom Lake College
• Coached elementary school kids at Street Soccer USA (a nonprofit organization that promotes the sport in the US).
• Came to the United States when he was 15.
• Born on July 22, 2003 in Odesa, Ukraine.
 
Head coach Chase Brooks: "Kiril is a big, strong central defender. He is a high character young man that we expect to bring good energy to our program."
 

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DAVID VANG
Fr. • 6-1, 180 • Defender
Oslo, Norway/Wang Toppidrett - Oslo

• Helped his high school team to an 18-2-2 record and Div 4 seniors title.
• Son of Ellen Stakkeng and Vegard Vang.
• Has a twin brother (Morten), a younger brother, Adrian, and younger sister, Angelika.
* His grandfather, Gunnar Willy Stakkeng, competed at the highest level in Norway for Aalesund.
• Born on January 15, 2004 in Oslo.
 
Head coach Chase Brooks: "David is a tough defender that has all the technical and athletic skills to make a splash in the A-10."