Men's Soccer Preview, Part 6: UIC
Aug. 22, 2006
Last year the UIC soccer team posted one of the best turnarounds in the nation, going from a 5-12-2 record in 2004 to an impressive 10-5-2 overall mark in 2005 to rank sixth in the NCAA's Most Improved Men's Soccer Teams list.
In 2006, the Flames hope to measure their improvement with a Horizon League Championship and an NCAA berth.
After John Trask took over as head coach in January 2005, the expectation level for success from the UIC soccer program has quickly increased to heights unbeknownst to the Flames fan base prior to Trask's arrival.
Under Trask, the Flames were jump-started immediately. UIC posted a season-opening shutout victory over then-No. 24 Loyola Marymount to set off a chain of successful performances that included a road win at then-No. 25 Creighton, a road draw at NCAA Tournament qualifier UW-Milwaukee, and an eight-match unbeaten mark in October.
UIC also hung with some of the nation's best teams throughout the year, falling narrowly to defending national champion Indiana in a preseason road contest and battling one of last season's top-ranked squads, Akron, to a 2-2 draw this past spring.
Now, the goals are even greater for a team that will blend some of the region's top returning talent with a highly-touted class of newcomers.
Junior midfielder Pavle Dundjer leads UIC's returning firepower. The All-American candidate led the Horizon League in points (22) and assists (six) while hitting the back of the net seven times, garnering his second consecutive All-Horizon League First Team selection and a spot on the 2005 NSCAA All-Midwest Second Team.
Joining Dundjer on the playmaking front are senior Tonci Skroce and junior Cesar Zambrano. Skroce earned All-League First Team accolades after scoring a career-high eight goals and 19 points, while Zambrano earned All-League First Team recognition in his first season by posting four goals and four assists in highlight-reel fashion.
Veteran forwards Pawel Otachel, a two-time All-Horizon League Second Team selection, and 2004 All-Horizon Leaguer Eric Cervantes will provide speed and attacking pressure up front with Skroce and rookie Matt Spiess, an NSCAA/adidas High School All-American last season at Chaminade College Prep in St. Louis.
The midfield has some talented depth. Along with Dundjer and Zambrano, veterans Pawel Ligas and Adnan Ejupovic and the talented brother tandem of Alen Husidic and Baggio Husidic will provide grit, quickness and jaw-dropping playmaking ability.
UIC's backline is improved in depth and talent as well. Teaming with rock-solid co-captain Derek Kosek will be stout defenders Pat McMahon, Brandon Bilbrey, and Mike Giffin.
The goalkeeper position is solidified with veteran Jeff Engelbrecht (9-5-2, 1.19 GAA in 2005) teaming with talented redshirt freshman Jovan Bubonja to provide depth between the posts.
UIC's schedule gets even tougher this fall in an effort to prepare Trask's squad for deep tournament runs on the league and national levels. Perennial powers Saint Louis, Bradley, and UC Santa Barbara are among the many tough opponents that will face the Flames before the Horizon League slate gets in full gear.
History will be made at the home of the Flames this season. Lights have been installed to allow UIC to play the first-ever home night games at Flames Field this year, beginning with the home opener against DePaul on August 30th. In addition to the Blue Demons and Bradley, UMKC, Northwestern, Cleveland State, UW-Green Bay and UW-Milwaukee will visit to clash with the Flames under the lights.
The players have answered the call of Trask and his staff, working hard in all facets of the game in the offseason in preparation for a season in which success will not be measured in just the win-loss column, but in the trophy case as well.
Story provided by UIC Office of Sports Information
