Aug. 11, 2009
NSCAA/adidas 2009 NCAA Division I Men's Preseason National Rankings
CHICAGO - The UIC men's soccer team is ranked 10th in the 2009 NSCAA/adidas NCAA Division I Men's Preseason National Rankings that were unveiled on Tuesday, Aug. 11.
The top 10 preseason national ranking is the highest ever for a Flames team heading into a season.
"To be recognized in the top 10 at the beginning of the year is representative of the hard work that the players have put in during the past couple of years," said UIC head coach John Trask. "The key is to have a high ranking at the end of the season. I think our players understand the importance of staying in the top 10, and hopefully we can speak about final rankings with this year's team as well."
UIC is also ranked 11th in the country in the College Soccer News 2009 Preseason Top 30 Poll that was released earlier this summer.
The Flames return eight starters, including two-time Hermann Trophy candidate Jovan Bubonja between the posts, from last year's NCAA Sweet 16 side. UIC also returns senior back Mike Giffin, a crucial member of UIC's 2007 NCAA Elite Eight run, who is back after sitting out last season due to a foot injury, to give the Flames nine veterans with extensive experience in the Starting XI.
