May 3, 2006
Chicago, Ill.- UIC head soccer coach John Trask announced on Wednesday that Nate Downing (Columbus, Ind./Columbus North H.S.), Stevan Jovcic (Park Ridge, Ill./Niles West H.S.) and Ian Sarachan (Gurnee, Ill./Warren Township H.S.) have accepted the University of Illinois at Chicago's offers of admission and will play for the UIC soccer team beginning this fall.
Downing comes to UIC by way of Columbus North High School in Columbus, Ind., where he was a two-time All-District 5 selection and the team's Most Valuable Player as a senior.
A captain of the Bull Dogs as a senior last fall, Downing earned Third Team All-State recognition and capped a prep career that included a trip to the final eight in the Indiana state tournament. Downing plays club soccer for Westside United in Avon, Indiana.
"It is our feeling that Nate, whose best soccer is in the future, can become an integral member of the team and provide depth to the back," said UIC assistant coach Sean Phillips. "His athletic ability and defensive instincts will be a welcome addition to the squad."
Jovcic, a 6'2, 180-pound forward, led Niles West in goals as a junior and senior while pacing the Wolves to a school record in wins and a Central Suburban title.
An All-CSL and All-Sectional selection, Jovcic was a four-year letterwinner at Niles West and a two-time captain. He completed his high school career with 33 goals and 17 assists and has extensive national and international experience under his belt, including trips to the 2003 Dallas Cup and the 2002 Nike Challenge Cup to go along with participation in camps run by FK Partizan Belgrade.
Jovcic currently plays on the club level for FC United.
"Stevan has all the tools to become a force in collegiate soccer," said Trask. "For a player with his size, strength and technical ability, Stevan will provide depth to a very talented group of frontrunners."
Sarachan, a captain of Warren's 2005 squad, paced the Blue Devils to their first trip to the state tournament in school history. During his three years at Warren, Sarachan posted 23 goals and 43 assists en route to becoming only the third player in the school's history to earn All-State honors.
An All-Area, All-North Suburban, All-Lake Shore and All-Daily Herald selection, Sarachan plays club soccer with FC United after competing with the Braddock Road Cardinals of Virginia. He has also participated in the Danone Cup in Paris.
Sarachan comes to UIC with a soccer pedigree. His father, Dave, is the head coach of Major League Soccer's Chicago Fire.
"Ian is a soccer player who could make an immediate impact because he has great technique and soccer intelligence," said Trask. "His background and awareness as a player should fit in nicely with our highly-skilled group of midfielders who return for the 2006 season."
Trask likes the skill and depth that these three newcomers will bring to the program.
"As we return most of our core players, these young guns will be looked upon to compete and add layers to a soccer program which is striving for national recognition," Trask said. "The coaching staff looks forward to working with these three fine young men who exemplify what a student-athlete and college athletics are all about"
Downing, Jovcic and Sarachan join a recruiting class the includes Matt Spiess (Florissant, Mo./Chaminade Prep), Alen Husidic (Libertyville, Ill./Libertyville H.S.), Adis Husdic (Libertyville, Ill./Libertyville H.S.) and Eric Lee (Tampa, Fla./Gaither H.S.).
