July 1, 2003

Duke's 2003 men's soccer recruiting class is ranked 14th in the nation, according to College Soccer News. The six-member recruiting class will join a Blue Devil team that features eight returning starters.

"We needed a group with skill, speed, strength and character," said Blue Devil head coach John Rennie. "We got exactly what we wanted. This shapes up as a great freshman class."

Duke was one of five Atlantic Coast Conference programs listed among College Soccer News' top 15 nationally. UCLA's recruiting class was tabbed the best in the nation.

Duke returns 10 letterwinners and eight starters from last year's squad, which posted an 11-8-1 record. The Blue Devil offense will be keyed by leading scorers Jordan Cila (6 goals, 10 assists, 22 total points), Owoicho Adogwa (8-3-19), Danny Kramer (4-2-10), Ian Carey (1-6-8) and Blake Camp (2-1-5). Goalkeeper Justin Trowbridge returns between the posts after a very successful 2002 campaign, and he will have a stingy and experienced defense returning in front of him. Matt Ahumada, Matt White and Ryan Kerlew return from the 2002 Blue Devil defense. Joe Kelly and Justin Bodiya will help anchor the defensive midfield.

The Blue Devils begin the 2003 season at home against Liberty on Aug. 30 in the Wolfpack Classic.