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Duquesne men’s soccer adds Franklin Regional standout Anthony DiFalco

Photo credit: Franklin Regional University Athletics

While there has not been too much information yet that has been made publicly available concerning the latest Duquesne Men’s Soccer recruiting class, Anthony DiFalco, a highly sought-after WPIAL product, announced on Twitter earlier this month that he will become a Duke.

“The process starts with honest, open communication of who we are and where we’re going and the vision we have for each player we want to have come play for us,” Duquesne coach Chase Brooks said. “Throughout those conversations, Anthony was always very interested in becoming a Duke. We’re fortunate enough that Duquesne was the place he wanted to attend. For a guy like Anthony, he wants to go to a place where he can win and he has an opportunity to play. Coming off a season like we did, there are a lot of guys that we match up with that target for them very well.”

Indeed, Duquesne finished this past season with a 10-7-2 record, and made it all the way to the Atlantic 10 Championship finals and it appears that local products have taken notice.

DiFalco received interest from Pitt and Robert Morris among others, but committed to Duquesne, something Brooks credited his assistants Adam Mitchell and Sebastian Pineda for what he stated is their work in identifying top local talent, and then doing their best to keep them as close to home as possible.

Assessing DiFalco, he has earned several accolades, and this past season alone totaled 33 goals and 27 assists with Franklin Regional. DiFalco has scored 118 career goals in his time with the Panthers.

Brooks believes the relationship between the staff and DiFalco is a good one and that he can push those already on the team which will only make everyone more rounded.

“Having that mentality already engrained in a player already helps,” said Brooks. “It’s important to have guys in that already match the flow of your style. Anthony fits into that and it’s a very nice compliment to have him come in and join our returners who did a nice job for him last year.”

While Brooks would not offer specifics on the overall recruiting class, he did state that coming off a successful season, that he found everyone looking around in the recruiting process sought a winner and there were conversations had about building off that foundation.

Brooks opined that a strong recruiting class is coming to Duquesne and it will place the Dukes in a position to grow after last season’s successes.

Specifically addressing local recruiting, Brooks understands how important it is, especially in Pittsburgh where there are several competitive club teams and soccer at multiple levels across professional, NCAA and NAIA ranks.

“We’re basically done with our class for this next year, we’re only looking for maybe one or two spots,” he said. “I think what it does is continues to solidify who we are in this area and continues to show the local community who we are and where we’re trying to go and that we mean business. We have high aspirations, and we want to continue pushing forward. We got started a few years ago when we landed Nate Dragisich, who was PA Gatorade Player of the Year. To continue moving that forward and get a guy like DiFalco and keep those guys as close to home is vital for us.”

In addition to the DiFalco commitment, another local standout, Butler’s Tate Mohney also announced recently that he’s committed to Duquesne.

Photo credit: Franklin Regional University Athletics

Glory on the Grass

Riverhounds MF Kenardo Forbes

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