Duke Inks Six Soccer Players For 2005

Feb. 7, 2005

Duke Head Coach John Rennie has announced the signing of six recruits to national letters of intent. The six players, Darrius Barnes, Pavelid Castaneda, Graham Dugoni, Brendan Fitzgerald, Michael Grella and Brad Ramsey, will enroll in the fall and join the Blue Devils for the 2005 campaign as they set their sights on a return to the College Cup.

"This incoming freshman group is another outstanding recruiting class," said Rennie, "We were able to bring in another group of players that are proven winners that we expect to contribute immediately."

Darrius Barnes
6-2 - 165
Raleigh, N.C. - Southeast Raleigh

Barnes joins the Blue Devils after a stellar career as a defender at the high school and youth levels. He was recently named to the NSCAA Youth All-America team. A member of the Super-Y Regional Olympic Development Program in 2004, Barnes participated in the prestigious Adidas Elite Soccer Program (ESP) in 2003 and 2004. He led his Triangle Futbol Club team to the championship of the Tampa Bay Sun Bowl this past December. A participant in the North Carolina Olympic Development Program, Barnes was the MVP for the Southeast Raleigh High School team that won the Triangle Alliance Athletic Conference 4-A boys soccer championships.

"Darrius is one of the most athletic defenders in his age group, and continues to grow as a player," said Rennie. "As one of the top players in North Carolina, we are very excited about his future as a Duke Blue Devil."

Pavelid Castaneda
6-1 - 160
Babylon, N.Y. - Babylon

Castaneda enters Duke with a successful resume that has proven him to be a consistent and versatile performer. As a defender, he has participated with the United States Under-18 national team and Region I Olympic Development Program teams. He was named to the NSCAA Youth All-America team in 2004, and was a member of the Super-Y Regional ODP team. This past fall, he was recognized by Sports Illustrated as one of their "Faces in the Crowd." Pavelid has participated in the adidas Elite Soccer Program (ESP) in 2003 and 2004, and has been an all-star selection. As a forward, he scored 29 goals this past high school season, helping Babylon capture the Suffolk Class B title. His scoring tally this season and his 65 career goals are both school records.

"Pav is a versatile player who should be able to contribute immediately in a number of different roles for us this fall," said Rennie.

Graham Dugoni
6-2 - 190
Portland, Ore. - Jesuit

Dugoni, a tremendous central defender, was a member of the 2004 NSCAA Youth All-America team and was named to the All-Star team at the prestigious adidas Elite Soccer Program (ESP). He has also been a member of the Region IV Olympic Development Program and Super-Y Regional Olympic Development Program teams. Dugoni was named the Oregon State Class 4A Player of the Year as well as the Metro League Player of the Year this past season, where he led his Jesuit High School team to an NSCAA Top-25 National Ranking all season long. Dugoni was also a standout kicker on Jesuit's top-ranked football team, which lost in the state semifinals.

"Graham has proven himself as a physical presence and great communicator on the field as a central defender, being a formidable ball-winner in the air or on the ground," said Rennie.

Brendan Fitzgerald
6-1 - 175
Boxford, Mass. - Groton School

Fitzgerald arrives at Duke as a goalkeeper who has had a lot of success at the high school and club levels. He was named to the NSCAA All-New England Region team for his efforts this past high school season, as well as being named All-State in both 2003 and 2004. Fitzgerald captained Groton to the New England Class C Championship for the first time in school history. His FC United team won the Massachusetts State Cup Championship in 2004, with Fitzgerald receiving Most Valuable Player accolades. He led his team to the USYSA Region I Championships last summer, as well as to the semifinals of the Tampa Bay Sun Bowl in 2003.

"Brendan is an excellent athlete who should add depth to our goalkeeping situation," said Rennie. "He will challenge for playing time right away."

Michael Grella
5-11 - 175
Glen Cove, N.Y. - Glen Cove

Grella comes to Duke as the 2004 NSCAA National High School Player of the Year. He was also named to the NSCAA Youth All-America and High School All-America teams, as well as the Parade Magazine All-America team in 2004. One of the most experienced members of the United States youth national team program, Grella has played with both the Under-18 and Under-20 National teams. As a member of the Region I Olympic Development Program, Grella was named to the adidas All-Star team at the USYSA Olympic Development Program Interregional event in Austin, Texas this past Thanksgiving. He received the same accolades in 2003 at the ARCO National Training Center in Chula Vista, Calif. Grella led his Albertson Red Storm team to the USYSA National Championships in both 2003 and 2004, as well as leading the Red Storm Academy to the Super-Y League National Championships in 2004. He was an all-star at the adidas Elite Soccer Program (ESP) this past summer.

"Michael has been a standout forward at the youth level, and we expect that to continue here in college as well," said Rennie. "His play at the international level gives him experience well beyond his years."

Brad Ramsey
6-0 - 160
Winston-Salem, N.C. - R.J. Reynolds

Ramsey arrives at Duke as one of the top high school players in North Carolina. He was most recently named an NSCAA Youth All-American for the third consecutive year, as well as having been named to the Parade Magazine All-America team in 2004. A member of the National Honor Society, he was also an NSCAA High School Scholar All-American. Ramsey was named a High School All-American in 2003, and has been named All-State and Conference Player of the Year for his sophomore, junior and senior years. A dangerous attacking player as a midfielder and forward, Ramsey has been a member of the Region III Olympic Development Program and was named to the adidas All-Star team at the USYSA Olympic Development Program Interregional event in 2003. Ramsey was a participant at the prestigious adidas Elite Soccer Program (ESP) in both 2003 and 2004, and led his Greensboro Soccer Club to the USYSA Region III Championships this past summer.

"Brad is a hard-working and athletic attacking player, and should prove to be a key contributor for us both in the midfield and up front," said Rennie.