Men's Soccer Adds Six Players to 2009 Squad

DURHAM, N.C.—Duke University men's soccer head coach John Kerr has announced the signing of six student-athletes who will join the Blue Devils in 2009. The incoming group features players with U.S. Youth National Team experience as well as a student-athlete from Nottingham, England.

Kerr and the Blue Devils welcome James Belshaw (Nottingham, England), Christian Brown (Plano, Texas), Ryan Brown (Plano, Texas), Ryan Finley (Lumberton, N.J.), Ryan Ruffing (Westborough, Mass.) and Andrew Wenger (Lititz, Pa.) to the team. The group brings with them stellar soccer and academic resumes that include numerous appearances on the various U.S. national teams as well as high school and club state championships.

“We have to replace six players who graduated and five of those being starters,” Kerr said. “This is a very balanced class, which will give us depth at every position. The addition of these five very talented freshmen and an excellent sophomore transfer brings a lot of enthusiasm and depth to our team.”

James Michael Belshaw (Nottingham, England), The Becket School, Goalkeeper
Captained The Becket School to the South Notts Schools Cup title in 2009 ... Guided the Becket School to the Nottingham Schools County Cup Final in 2009 ... Named the Heanor Town FC Young Player of the Year and Supports Player of the Year in 2008 ... Major part of the Becket School Team that won the Nottingham Schools County Cup in 2008 ... Served as the captain of the Nottinghamshire County Schools team that advanced to the English Counties Semifinals in 2007 ... Represented Nottinghamshire County Schools at the U-15, U-16 and U-18 levels ... Also played Cricket, earning the Young Cricketer of the Year Award in 2008.

Christian Brown (Plano, Texas), Plano Senior, Defender, Solar U18 Academy
A two-year letterwinner for Plano Senior High School as a defender ... Served as a team captain as a senior ... Helped guide Plano to the 5A State Championship as a senior ... Anchored a defense that posted 21 shutouts in 30 games in 2008 ... Member of Solar U-18 Academy ... Team advanced to the 2009 Dallas Cup Final and the 2008 Disney Showcase Semifinal ... Played a major part in leading Solar '92 to the 2007 and 2008 Region III Semifinals ... Team captured North Texas State Cup title in 2007 and 2008 ... Was picked to travel to Buenos Aires, Argentina with the ODP Region III team in 2008 ... Member of the North Texas ODP team in 2005, 2007 and 2008 ... A member of the National Honor Society.

Ryan Brown (Plano, Texas/Plano Senior), Midfield/Forward, Solar U18 Academy
A two-year letterwinner for Plano Senior High School ... Helped lead Plano to the 5A State Championship as a senior ... Named the 5A State Tournament Most Valuable Player ... Captured first team all-state and first team all-region honors as a senior ... Also earned All-District accolades as a senior ... A member of the Solar U-18 Academy ... Guided team advanced to the 2009 Dallas Cup Finals and earn a spot in the Disney Soccer Showcase Semifinals ... Selected to the Disney Soccer Showcase All-Star Team ... Played for Solar '92 team that advanced to the Region III Semifinals in 2007 and 2008 ... Solar '92 also advanced to the Disney Showcase Semifinals in 2007 ... Team captured North Texas State Cup title in 2007 and 2008 ... Named a ODP Region III Regional Finalist ... Member of the North Texas ODP team from 2004-2008 ... A member of the National Honor Society

Ryan Finley (Lumberton, N.J./Rancocas Valley High School), Midfield/Forward, PDA Larsson
Named the Philadelphia Inquirer South Jersey player of the year ... Tallied 20 goals and six assists in leading Rancocas Valley High School to the state title as a senior ... Spent his sophomore and junior seasons in Bradenton. Fla., for the U.S. Soccer under-17 residency program ... Was a member of the U-17 U.S. National Team in 2006 ... Selected to the U-18 U.S. National Team ... Most recently competed in the Lisbon International Tournament with the under-18 team ... Named the Player of the Tournament in Spain that included teams such as Barcelona F.C. and Real Madrid ... Captured the Golden Boot in a Regional Team Tournament in Argentina.

Ryan Ruffing (Westborough, Mass./Westborough), Defender, FC Greater Boston Bolts

At George Washington: Played in 16 games, starting 13 of those ... Registered two goals and three assists for seven points.

Prep: Named to 2008 United States Soccer Federation Development Academy U-17/18 Northeast Starting XI ... 2007 Massachusetts Division 1 All-State ... Two-time Central Massachusetts All-Star ... MetroWest Daily News 2007-08 Male Athlete of the Year ... MetroWest Daily News and Worcester Telegram and Gazette All-Star in 2006 and 2007 ... 22 goals and 20 assists in two seasons at Westborough ... Two-year member and captain of FC Greater Boston Bolts club team ... Also ran track and holds school records in 100, 200, 300 and 400-meter dash and 4x200m relay ... Won indoor track and field state title in 300-meter dash ... Named "fastest kid in Massachusetts" after winning 100-meter dash at 2008 All-State meet.

Andrew Wenger (Lititz, Pa./Warwick High School), Midfield, PA Classics
Voted the National High School Player of the Year by the National Soccer Coaches Athletic Association ... A two-time NSCAA/adidas High School All-America selection ... Finished his scholastic career with 45 goals and 39 assists for 129 points ... Selected to the U-20 U.S. National Team in 2008 ... Picked for the U-17 U.S. National Team in 2007 ... The U.S. Soccer Development Academy U-17/U-18 All-Academy Starting Eleven in 2008 ... Also voted to the NSCAA/adidas Youth All-America Team for his play with the Pennsylvania Classics ... Ranked 21st in the 2009 recruits by Top Drawer Soccer.com ... A three-time Lancaster Lebanon League First Team All Star ... Selected to the Pennsylvania All-State team as a junior and a senior ... Named the Pennsylvania State Player of the Year as a senior ... Helped lead Warwick High School to the Pennsylvania State Championship his freshman season ... Voted as the EPYSA ODP Team Captain ... Earned a spot on the Olympic Development Region I Team ... An ESP All Star in 2007 ... A member of the National Honor Society.

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Men's Soccer Adds Six Players to 2009 Squad

Players Mentioned

James Belshaw

Christian Brown

Ryan Brown

Ryan Finley

Ryan Ruffing

Andrew Wenger

Duke information

Men's Soccer Adds Six Players to 2009 Squad

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Players Mentioned

James Belshaw

Christian Brown

Ryan Brown

Ryan Finley

Ryan Ruffing

Andrew Wenger

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Duke information