May 17, 2005
Chicago, Ill. - New University of Illinois at Chicago Head Men's Soccer Coach John Trask unveiled his first recruiting class with the Flames on Tuesday, announcing that Jovan Bubonja (Belgrade, Serbia/VI Belgrade), John Conner Hickey (Plano, Texas/Wylie H.S.), Patrick McMahon (Bolingbrook, Ill./Benet Academy) and Dan Simek (LaGrange, Ill./Lyons Township H.S.) have signed National Letters of Intent to play for the Flames beginning in the 2005 campaign.
"With 20 returnees featuring a nucleus of players that defeated nationally-ranked UW-Milwaukee and tied nationally-ranked Memphis, these four signees are excellent additions to our squad," said Trask.
"We were very fortunate to sign these student-athletes," continued Trask. "We feel the core of young returnees, senior leadership and this incoming group of talented players gives us the opportunity to compete for a Horizon League Championship."
Bubonja comes to UIC by way of Belgrade, making him the second player on the Flames roster from the Serbian capital along with 2004 All-Horizon League First Team selection and league Newcomer of the Year Pavle Dundjer.
A goalkeeper, Bubonja played club soccer with BPI Pekar and was a part of the Serbia & Montenegro National Team program.
"We are extremely pleased to have Jovan attending UIC in the fall," said Trask. [UIC assistant coach] Sean Phillips has worked with Jovan in the past and believes that he has all the talent and training habits necessary to become a top collegiate goalkeeper."
Hickey played midfield and forward positions at Wylie High School in Wylie, Texas and for the Dallas Solar club team.
"Conner comes to UIC from Dallas Solar, one of the top youth soccer clubs in the country," said Trask. "His winning attitude, soccer ability and work rate will enhance our team's play this fall."
McMahon joins the Flames after playing as a sweeper for Benet and a defender for Ajax F.C. Chicago.
"Patrick possesses all the tools to become an outstanding defensive player for UIC in the near future," Trask said. "He will add athleticism to our defensive group, as well as the ability to provide possession once we win the ball."
A native of LaGrange, Ill., Simek played high school soccer for Lyons Township while competing on the club level for the Chicago Sockers.
"Dan is a player who comes highly recommended from his high school coach, Alex Hernandez, and from the staff at the Chicago Sockers Soccer Club," said Trask. "He brings intangibles and will only get better as he matures. We will look to him to provide added firepower to our attack."
Trask enters his first season as UIC head coach this fall after five seasons as an assistant coach in Major League Soccer and nine years as an assistant at the storied Indiana University Men's Soccer program under legendary head coach Jerry Yeagley.
