June 9, 2010

CHICAGO- UIC head men's soccer coach Sean Phillips announced on Wednesday, June 9 that the following nine student-athletes will join the Flames beginning this fall:

Slobodan Aleksov (Belgrade, Serbia/Crjanski H.S./FC Bask)

Mitch Albrecht (Batavia, Ill./Batavia H.S./Chicago Fire Academy)

Nasar Bodnarchuk (Chicago, Ill./Lake View H.S./Sockers FC Chicago)

Eric Frazier (Flower Mound, Texas/Marcus H.S./Andromeda 90/UWM)

Marco Gutierrez (Chicago, Ill./St. Joseph H.S./Chicago Fire Academy)

Peter Hanula (Chicago, Ill./Whitney Young H.S./Chicago United FC)

David Sayre (New Lenox, Ill./Lincoln-Way Central/Chicago Magic/Michigan State)

Taao Scarnato (Lake Zurich, Ill./Lake Zurich H.S./Sockers FC Chicago/Carthage)

Dan Vidos (Chicago, Ill./Brother Rice H.S./Inter FC)

"The coaching staff is very excited about the incoming class," said Phillips, entering his first season as UIC head coach but sixth campaign with the program. "In addition to these fine young players who have committed, the staff has been extremely pleased with the development of the young players whose opportunities grew throughout the spring and will continue to grow in the fall."

"We feel that the needs of the team will be addressed with these recruits and the returning players, from whom more will be asked."

Aleksov is a 6-1, 185-pound defender/midfielder out of Belgrade, adding to the Flames' pipeline of players from the Serbian capital that includes former All-American greats Jovan Bubonja and Pavle Dundjer and current All-Horizon League midfielder Ivan Stanisavljevic. He played for FC Bask under coach Mirko Mirkovic.

"We are looking for Slobodan to continue the great contribution of players from Serbia," said Phillips. "He is a talented left-sided player who can play in the midfield or in the backline and be an impact player this fall."

Albrecht, a 5-10, 160-pound back, joins the Flames after playing at Batavia, the high school of another former strong Flames defender in Derek Kosek, and the Chicago Fire Academy.

"Mitch is a very good defender from the Chicago Fire Academy program," said Phillips. "Mitch has proven to be a good man marker with excellent defensive instincts over the last two years. His abilities should put him in a place to compete immediately for playing time in the backline."

A 6-1, 167-pound defender, Bodnarchuk captained Lake View as a senior and competed for Sockers FC under coach David Richardson.

"Nasar comes to UIC from the Chicago Sockers program with excellent training habits and a tremendous upside," Phillips said. "As he matures physically, his soccer IQ will be complemented, allowing for his best soccer to be seen in the future."

Frazier, a 6-foot, 165-pound forward, joined the Flames this past spring as a transfer. He was an All-League standout in 2008 before injuries hampered his sophomore season.

"Eric is a creative attacking player who is a proven goal scorer at the collegiate level," said Phillips. "We will be looking for him to lead the young group of attacking players this fall."

Gutierrez, who stands 6-1 and weighs 170 pounds, served as a forward for St. Joseph High School in Westchester and played at the club level for the Chicago Fire Academy.

"Marco is a proven goal scorer at the Academy and high school levels," Phillips said. "With his physical attributes and soccer intelligence in the final third we expect him to be a top goal scorer in college soccer."

Hanula, 5-10 and 160 pounds, can play in the midfield and up front, which he proved while playing at Whitney Young and for Chicago United FC.

"Peter was identified by the coaching staff while playing for CUFC, a club with whom we work closely," said Phillips. "His clever left foot, quickness, and ability to play in multiple lines of the team will allow him to be a valuable member of the program."

Sayre, a midfielder who stands 5-10 and weighs 160 pounds, comes to UIC by way of Michigan State. He played for the Chicago Magic and coaches John Hannan and Todd Bailey.

"David brings collegiate experience as a transfer, as well as winning intangibles from his time as a youth player with the Chicago Magic," said Phillips. "Having lost our two wide midfielders to graduation, David will be adding to the competition for minutes out wide."

Scarnato, 5-9 and 165 pounds, is a Lake Zurich native who spent a season at Carthage College in Kenosha, Wis., where he appeared in 11 matches. He is also a product of Sockers FC and coach Richardson.

"Taao's work rate and shot stopping ability will contribute depth to the goalkeeping position this fall," said Phillips.

Vidos, 5-9 and 150 pounds, is a forward who competed for Inter FC and Brother Rice.

"The coaching staff originally identified Dan at UIC Soccer Camp," said Phillips. "His creative ability in the final third will give the program depth at a relatively young position in the team."

These nine newcomers will join a core of returnees led by senior captain Robert Younger and sophomores Stanisavljevic, Josh Beard and Joe Radice when the Flames return to action this fall.