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Monday Briefing : Belshaw Goes Up; 2020 Squad Arrives
8/3/2020 11:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
James Belshaw and Harrogate Go Up
Sunday was a massive day for former Duke goalkeeper James Belshaw and his club Harrogate Town AFC as he helped lead his side to a 3-1 win over Notts County in the Vanarama National League promotion final. With the win, Harrogate Town AFC earns promotion to the English Football League for the first time in club history.
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Belshaw was voted to the Vanarama National League Team of the Season as the lone goalkeeper and also was picked as the Harrogate Town AFC Supporters Club Player of the Year. The 2012 All-American and two-time All-ACC first team pick, Belshaw was excellent in the final, making point-blank saves to dash any hopes of a Notts County comeback.
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Ebobisse into the MLS is Back Tournament Semifinals
After three strong showings during group play, former Duke forward Jeremy Ebobisse and the Portland Timbers continued their run in the MLS is Back Tournament in Orlando. The top seed from Group F, the Timbers needed penalty kicks to get past FC Cincinnati in a shootout 4-2 after regulation finished 1-1. Ebobisse played the full 90 before being subbed off by Felipe Mora. In his 90 minutes, he took three shots, including one on target, and drew two fouls.
The semifinals was a matchup of former Blue Devils Ebobisse and defender Sebastien Ibeagha of NYCFC. The Timbers did well to finish three of their five on target chances for a 3-1 victory. NYCFC held a 10-9 edge in shots and a 61 to 39 advantage in possession percentage. Ebobisse played 74 minutes, while Ibeagha did not see action.
In five games, Ebobisse has three goals and was named to the MLS Team of the Week twice. He returns to action Wednesday, Aug. 5 against Philadelphia Union.
Duke 2020 Squad Returns
The majority of the 2020 Duke men's soccer team returned to campus July 29. The Blue Devils went through health screening that included a COVID-19 test as well as physicals before settling in for an acclimatization period. Currently, Duke is slated to begin preseason training Aug. 10. The ACC recently announced an outline a fall slate of conference games and the Blue Devils will announced their 2020 schedule in the coming week. Fall Olympic Sports may begin Thursday, Sept. 10.
USL Update
Former Blue Devil defender Aedan Stanley recently recorded his first professional assist to highlight the most recent action by the Duke contingent in the United Soccer League's return to play. Stanley served in a beauty of a cross from the left side to put the Portland Timbers 2 on the board in a setback to Reno 1868 FC.
Daniele Proch recently came on late in a 1-0 home win over Birmingham Legion FC. He's played in two games so far this season for North Carolina FC.
Former Duke center back Christian Ibeagha has played in four games for Oklahoma City Energy FC, which is 1-1-2 since returning to play.
For Loudoun United FC, Brandon Williamson has played in three games, including one start, and a total of 75 minutes. Issa Rayyan, in his second season with Philadelphia Union II, has played three games with two starting assignments. He's played a total of 180 minutes and is searching for his first point of the 2020 campaign.
Hamilton Academical Return to the Field
The Scottish Premiership resumed play over the weekend with the Hamilton Academical squad taking on Celtic. Former Blue Devils Ciaran McKenna and Markus Fjørtoft are defenders for Hamilton Academic FC. McKenna came on in the 70th minute in the opening loss to league leader Celtic. The Blue Devil duo plays again Saturday, Aug. 8 against Ross County.
Sunday was a massive day for former Duke goalkeeper James Belshaw and his club Harrogate Town AFC as he helped lead his side to a 3-1 win over Notts County in the Vanarama National League promotion final. With the win, Harrogate Town AFC earns promotion to the English Football League for the first time in club history.
Â
Belshaw was voted to the Vanarama National League Team of the Season as the lone goalkeeper and also was picked as the Harrogate Town AFC Supporters Club Player of the Year. The 2012 All-American and two-time All-ACC first team pick, Belshaw was excellent in the final, making point-blank saves to dash any hopes of a Notts County comeback.
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?? | The @HTAFCSupporters Club Player of the Year... @jbelly31 #ProudToBeTown pic.twitter.com/2Dr80cQ2vI
— Harrogate Town AFC (@HarrogateTown) August 2, 2020
Ebobisse into the MLS is Back Tournament Semifinals
After three strong showings during group play, former Duke forward Jeremy Ebobisse and the Portland Timbers continued their run in the MLS is Back Tournament in Orlando. The top seed from Group F, the Timbers needed penalty kicks to get past FC Cincinnati in a shootout 4-2 after regulation finished 1-1. Ebobisse played the full 90 before being subbed off by Felipe Mora. In his 90 minutes, he took three shots, including one on target, and drew two fouls.
The semifinals was a matchup of former Blue Devils Ebobisse and defender Sebastien Ibeagha of NYCFC. The Timbers did well to finish three of their five on target chances for a 3-1 victory. NYCFC held a 10-9 edge in shots and a 61 to 39 advantage in possession percentage. Ebobisse played 74 minutes, while Ibeagha did not see action.
In five games, Ebobisse has three goals and was named to the MLS Team of the Week twice. He returns to action Wednesday, Aug. 5 against Philadelphia Union.
Duke 2020 Squad Returns
The majority of the 2020 Duke men's soccer team returned to campus July 29. The Blue Devils went through health screening that included a COVID-19 test as well as physicals before settling in for an acclimatization period. Currently, Duke is slated to begin preseason training Aug. 10. The ACC recently announced an outline a fall slate of conference games and the Blue Devils will announced their 2020 schedule in the coming week. Fall Olympic Sports may begin Thursday, Sept. 10.
USL Update
Former Blue Devil defender Aedan Stanley recently recorded his first professional assist to highlight the most recent action by the Duke contingent in the United Soccer League's return to play. Stanley served in a beauty of a cross from the left side to put the Portland Timbers 2 on the board in a setback to Reno 1868 FC.
Daniele Proch recently came on late in a 1-0 home win over Birmingham Legion FC. He's played in two games so far this season for North Carolina FC.
Former Duke center back Christian Ibeagha has played in four games for Oklahoma City Energy FC, which is 1-1-2 since returning to play.
For Loudoun United FC, Brandon Williamson has played in three games, including one start, and a total of 75 minutes. Issa Rayyan, in his second season with Philadelphia Union II, has played three games with two starting assignments. He's played a total of 180 minutes and is searching for his first point of the 2020 campaign.
Hamilton Academical Return to the Field
The Scottish Premiership resumed play over the weekend with the Hamilton Academical squad taking on Celtic. Former Blue Devils Ciaran McKenna and Markus Fjørtoft are defenders for Hamilton Academic FC. McKenna came on in the 70th minute in the opening loss to league leader Celtic. The Blue Devil duo plays again Saturday, Aug. 8 against Ross County.
Players Mentioned
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Tuesday, November 12
A DOMINANT WIN OVER NOTRE DAME - MEN'S SOCCER
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Duke Athletics: A Tour of Campus
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Welcome to Duke
Saturday, October 19
