Pittsburgh, Pa. – Duquesne University men's soccer head coach
Chase Brooks announced additions to its 2024 recruiting class Monday, as a total of 14 players will join the Dukes this fall.
Included among the group of newcomers are eight transfers and five international student-athletes. A closer look at each of the new players for Duquesne …
Roni Badler
5'10" | 165 | Forward
Tel Aviv, Israel / Shazar
Notes: Earned a pair of championships in the Israeli Premier League with Hapoel Tel Aviv FC … In the national state cup finished as runner-up … Named Most Outstanding Player of the Mundialito Tournament … Son of Anna and Ilia Badler … Has one younger brother, Michael … Born Jan. 4, 2004 … Undecided on a major.
Quotable: "Roni is an experienced and dynamic attacker," Brooks said. "He has the versatility and work ethic to make a big impact on our program in the Atlantic 10."
Dan Banks
6'1" | 165 | Midfielder
Providence, R.I. / South Kingstown (Worcester Academy)
Notes: Earned all-division, all-state and All-New England honors at South Kingstown High School for head coach Alex Armstrong … Won a pair of Rhode Island state championships at South Kingstown … Spent a year at Worcester Academy for head coach James Proctor … Worcester Academy finished as a New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) semifinalist … Earned All-NEPSAC Honorable Mention accolades and was tabbed a NEPSAC All-Star … Also garnered Western New England Prep School Soccer Association (WNEPSSA) All-Star plaudits … Played for New England FC under the direction of Juan Gonzalez … Second oldest of four boys of Kevin and Maryellen Banks … Brothers include James, Thomas and Steven … Born May 25, 2005 … Major is undecided.
Quotable: "Dan has the size, technique and athleticism to be a big contributor for our program," Brooks said. "I'm excited he is joining us and look forward to helping him realize his potential."
Bendix Bennetzen
5'10" | 167 | Midfielder
Esbjerg, Denmark / Rybners Gymnasier
Notes: Earned silver in the Under 19 League as well as silver in the Under 19 Danish Cup in both 2020 and 2021 … Made First Team debut for Esbjerg FB in August of 2021 … Son of Bjarne and Britta Bennetzen … Youngest of three children, with an older brother, Sebastian, and an older sister, Selina … Lived abroad for 11 years in Qatar and also has lived in Scotland … Born June 13, 2004 … Major is liberal arts.
Quotable: "Bendix has a great youth pedigree," Brooks said. "He has a mixture of both technical and tactical skill sets that will be a great addition to our team."
Sam Coss
6'1" | 180 | Goalkeeper
Bowie, Md. / Bowie (Syracuse)
Notes: Spent two seasons as a reserve goalkeeper at Syracuse University, winning the 2022 NCAA national championship … Member of 2023 ACC Academic Honor Roll and 2024 Athletic Director's Spring Honor Roll … Two-time regional and county champion at Bowie High School … Earned second team all-state accolades as a senior … Member of Baltimore Armour squad that was ranked No. 1 U17 team in the country prior to the global pandemic … Son of Edward and Denise Coss … Has two older sisters, Greta and Sarah … Born Oct. 20, 2003 … Major is psychology.
Quotable: "Sam is an athletic and hardworking goalkeeper that will push the current goalkeeper core," Brooks said. "We're happy to have him and excited to see how good he can be."
Luke Fiscus
5'8" | 145 | Defender
Pittsburgh, Pa. / Hampton
Notes: Under the guidance of head coach Matt McAwley helped Hampton claim both Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL) and Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) state titles in 2021 … Hampton finished as the 2023 WPIAL runner-up … Owns Hampton single-season record for goals (37) … Earned all-state honors as well as was named Sectional Player of the Year … Also played football at Hampton … Named to the Best XI at the E64 Playoffs … Earned Best XI Honorable Mention accolades at the US Youth Soccer (USYS) National Championships … Played for Steel City FC under head coach Jonathan Velotta … Son of Brian and Debbie Fiscus … Has an older sister, Taylor … Born March 6, 2006 … Major is business.
Quotable: "Luke is a high character, tough, hardworking player that will come in and push everyone around him to be better," Brooks said. "Team players are huge for any program, and Luke will provide that stability and expertise in everything that he does."
Blaize Hardy
6'2" | 165 | Defender
Queen Creek, Ariz. / Hamilton (VCU)
Notes: Spent two seasons at VCU, playing a total of 16 minutes … Helped Rams win the 2023 Atlantic 10 regular-season championship … Member of Phoenix Rising FC for head coach Andy Chapman … Phoenix Rising appeared in playoffs … Played basketball until junior year of high school … Son of Leslie and Dana Hardy … Has one older brother, Caleb … Father played men's basketball at Rice University before an NBA career with the Miami Heat and Denver Nuggets as well as a professional career overseas … Mother played softball at Chapman University … Born June 23, 2004, in Seattle, Wash. … Major is psychology.
Quotable: "Blaize is an athletic central defender with high-level experience in our conference already," Brooks said. "We're happy he is with the program and look forward to working with him."
Dakota Jonke
Junior | 6'2" | 185
Cleveland, Ohio / St. Edward (Cornell)
Notes: Appeared in 13 matches over the last two seasons with the Big Red, each off the bench … In NCAA Division I debut in 2022 season opener for Cornell scored game-winning goal in a 2-1 win at UC Santa Barbara (9/2/22) … Finished with five shots as a rookie, including two on goal … Spent four years with varsity program at St. Edward's during prep career, the final two seasons of which he served as team captain … Also spent two years as a kicker for the St. Edward's football team, helping Eagles claim the 2021 Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) Division I state championship … Son of Cory and Rochelle Jonke.
QUOTABLE
"Dakota is a big, strong and hard-working forward that has a ton of upside," Brooks said. "He brings an edge and passion to the Bluff that will help us challenge for an Atlantic 10 title."
Ashwin Menon
Junior | 5'10" | 168
Trophy Club, Texas / Westlake Academy (Oregon State)
Notes: Spent one season at Oregon State … Selected to participate in the Generation Adidas Ajax Tour … Dallas Cup Champion as well as an MLS Next Cup Finalist in 2021 as a member of Solar Next … Member of squad that claimed 2019 U.S. Soccer Development Academy (USSDA) championship … Son of Devi and Bobby Menon.
QUOTABLE
"Ashwin possesses a high character and is hard-working defender that brings great experience and leadership to our roster," Brooks said. "He has a calmness about him that will benefit our squad, and we're looking to seeing just how good he can be."
Mikey Morales
6'0" | 160 | Midfielder
Miami, Fla. / Florida Christian School (Tulsa)
Notes: Transfer from Tulsa … Appeared in 11 games for the Hurricane as a freshman, recording a goal and an assist … Posted 11 shots, including six on goal … Lone goal of the season proved to be the game winner in a 4-3 victory over Drake (9/9) … Also registered his assist in the win over the Bulldogs in playing a season-high 55 minutes … Member of FC Dallas for five seasons, which was the No. 1 team in the country and appeared in the MLS Next semifinals … Compiled career totals of 42 goals and 27 assists for 111 points while playing for FC Dallas … Son of Yovi and Karina Morales … Has two older sisters, Stephanie and Melanie … Born Feb. 26, 2004 … Major is communications.
Quotable: "Mikey comes from one of the best youth programs in the country," Brooks said. "We're excited to have him join our family and help him on his journey."
Ali Nasser
5'9" | 150 | Forward
Dearborn, Mich. / Edsel Ford (Purdue Fort Wayne)
Notes: Spent four seasons with Purdue Fort Wayne after beginning collegiate career at Marshall … Played in 37 career contests with the Mastodons, including 23 starts … Scored three goals during the 2021 season … Owns 31 career shots, including 17 on goal … Registered goals in wins over Western Michigan (9/5), Robert Morris (9/25) and IUPUI (10/30) during the 2021 campaign … Goal against the Jaguars was the only marker in a 1-0 triumph over IUPUI … Played three seasons with Vardar Academy, starting 50 of his 76 matches … Compiled 20 goals over three years at Vardar Academy … Invited to play in USA National Team Camp … Son of Zolfikar Nasser and Hanan Mirza … Has one sister, Aseal … Born Feb. 7, 2001 … Major is entrepreneurship.
Quotable: "Ali is a dynamic attacking player is always a threat off the dribble," Brooks said. "He has the character and talent to challenge for time this fall."
Marko Rasmussen
5'11" | 155 | Forward
Silkeborg, Denmark / College360
Notes: Selected for Denmark's U17 Future National Team … For the 2022 and 2023 seasons helped Silkeborg IF earn fifth in the U19 League … Silkeborg IF claimed second at the 2023 Scandinavian Championship … Son of Kenneth Skibdal Rasmussen and Roksolana Kost Rasmussen … Has an older brother, William, and a younger brother, Daniel … Born March 13, 2005 … Enjoys playing table tennis … Undecided on a major.
Quotable: "Marko is a versatile, attack-minded player that can come in and push the group," Brooks said. "We're looking forward to seeing him on Rooney Field for years to come."
Jack Rhead
6'3" | 190 | Forward
Plymouth, United Kingdom / Ivybridge C.C. (CSUN)
Notes: Transfer from California State University, Northridge (CSUN) who spent the 2022 and 2023 seasons with the Matadors … Played in 34 career games for CSUN, including 26 starts … Tallied 15 career points courtesy of six goals and three assists … Registered 47 shots in two seasons at CSUN, including 27 on goal … Last season for the Matadors scored three goals and notched an assist … Scored a pair of goals and posted an assist against Cal State Fullerton … A member of the men's soccer program at NCAA Division II Quincy University from 2019-21 … Led Quincy in scoring in his final season in 2021 with eight goals and 17 points, helping him earn All-Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) Third Team accolades … Also played for Ventura County Fusion … Son of Chris and Debbie Rhead … Has traveled to over 20 different countries … Born April 1, 2001 … Pursuing a Master of Science in data analytics.
Quotable: "Jack is a big striker that has caused defenders problems in college for years," Brooks said. "We're looking forward to having him join our family and help us win games this fall."
Daman Sangha
Sophomore | 6'3" | 170
Gilbertsville, Pa. / Boyertown Area (South Carolina)
Notes: Appeared in three matches at South Carolina last season … Made his NCAA Division I debut against UNC Wilmington (9/5/23) … Played a career-high 24 minutes in a 1-0 win over Jacksonville (10/3/23) … Started each of his four years at Boyertown Area High School … Led the Bears to the semifinals of the 2022 Pennsylvania Intercollegiate Athletic Association (PIAA) state tournament as well as a Pioneer Conference championship … Selected as a Top 150 player in the Class of 2023 by Top Drawer Soccer … Played for FC Delco MLS Next for four years (2020-23) … Three-time league champion with FC Delco and was named an MLS Next Fest 2022 Standout … Son of Sukhwinder and Rajwant Sangha.
QUOTABLE
"Daman is a tall, technical defender," Brooks said. "He has good experience from learning in the Sun Belt Conference last year and we're happy he chose Duquesne for the next chapter in his playing career."
Ofek Sasson
Freshman | 6'4" | 188
Ramat Gan, Israel / Mikve Israel
Notes: Competed during his prep career with Maccabi Tel Aviv as well as FC Ashdod … Member of Maccabi Tel Aviv club that were U17 Cup holders … Made four appearances in the U19 UEFA Champions League with FC Ashdod … Son of Uri Sasson and Riki Altaleb.
QUOTABLE
"Ofek has the tools to become on the best defenders in the Atlantic 10," Brooks said. "We're excited to work with him and help him reach his full potential."
Led by Brooks, Duquesne finished with an overall mark of 8-7-3 (.528) in 2023, including a mark of 4-2-2 (.625) in the Atlantic 10. Brooks has guided the Dukes to 77 wins in his 11 seasons on the sidelines and is just one victory shy of the 100th of his career as a head coach.
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