UIC's Skroce drafted by Columbus Crew

Jan. 18, 2007

Chicago, Ill. - UIC senior Tonci Skroce was selected by the Columbus Crew in Thursday's Major League Soccer Supplemental Draft.

The Crew completed a trade with the Colorado Rapids to gain the 10th pick of the second round (23rd overall) in order to select Skroce.

The former UIC forward becomes only the second player in UIC history to be selected in a Major League Soccer draft. Eric Lukin was selected by the Colorado Rapids in the third round of the 2001 MLS SuperDraft.

Skroce, the 2006 Horizon League Player of the Year, became the second All-American in the UIC soccer program's 25-year Division I history this past season after receiving second team honors from NSCAA/adidas. He scored seven goals and assisted on seven others during a fantastic senior campaign in which he led the team in assists (seven), points (21) and was second in goals (seven).

The clutch striker had five game-winning goals during a year in which he captained UIC to the 2006 Horizon League regular season title, the school's first at-large berth to the NCAA Tournament, and a school-record stretch of 10 consecutive weeks in the Top 25 national polls.

In his three-year career at UIC, Skroce amassed 19 goals, 10 assists and 48 points in 54 matches in a Flames kit.

In addition to his All-America and NSCAA/adidas All-Great Lakes Region First Team honors, Skroce was a two-time All-Horizon League First Team selection.

Story provided by UIC Office of Sports Information