Dec. 12, 2008
2008 NSCAA/adidas All-Americans
2008 College Soccer News All-Americans
Chicago, Ill.- UIC junior goalkeeper Jovan Bubonja (Belgrade, Serbia/VI Belgrade) and junior midfielder Baggio Husidic (Velika Kladusa, Bosnia/Libertyville [Ill.] H.S.) earned All-America honors from both the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) and College Soccer News on Friday, Dec. 12.
Bubonja and Husidic were both selected to the 2008 NSCAA/adidas NCAA Division I Men's All-America First Team. Bubonja was also named a College Soccer News 2008 First Team All-American, while Husidic garnered College Soccer News 2008 Second Team All-America accolades.
Both players are the first-ever NSCAA/adidas First Team All-Americans in UIC men's soccer history.
"Congratulations to Jovan and Baggio for this tremendous accomplishment," said UIC head coach John Trask. "To be the first two First Team All-Americans in the history of UIC soccer is truly amazing. There have been so many great players who have worn the Flames jerseys over the years, and for Jovan and Baggio to be mentioned with the all-time greats is something that can never be taken away from them.
"As for the program, I think this shows that UIC is truly among the elite and a great place for any aspiring young talent to accomplish their goals," Trask said. "The All-American wall in our office continues to grow, and in the near future we may need an addition to get everybody on the wall. The great thing for the staff is that every guy in the program knows that the hard work put in by these players has been rewarded, and that if they can bring the same qualities that Jovan and Baggio brought, they, too, can reach their goals."
Bubonja turned in 10 shutouts in 2008, allowing just 14 goals in 21 matches for a goals-against average of 0.63 while making 57 saves. He is a semifinalist for the 2008 Missouri Athletic Club Hermann Trophy honoring the nation's top college soccer player, as well as a three-time NSCAA/adidas All-Great Lakes Region First Team pick.
The third-year netminder also garnered All-Horizon League First Team honors for the third straight season to go with Horizon League Goalkeeper of the Year recognition in 2008.
Husidic was magnificent offensively in 2008, scoring nine goals while serving up six assists for 24 points. He was named to the 2008 NSCAA/adidas All-Great Lakes Region First Team, the TopDrawerSoccer.com Team of the Season First Team and the All-Horizon League First Team while bringing home the Horizon League Player of the Year and Horizon League Offensive Player of the Year awards.
The honors for Bubonja and Husidic mark the third consecutive season that UIC has featured All-Americans and the sixth time that NSCAA/adidas All-America honors have been awarded to Flames players. Previous All-Americans include Eric Lukin (1999 Second Team, 2000 Third Team), Tonci Skroce (2006 Second Team) and Pavle Dundjer (2007 Third Team).
Bubonja was named a College Soccer News All-American for the second straight season after winning Second Team recognition in 2007.
