June 12, 2015 The 2015-16 academic year begins in 73 days and UICFlames.com counts down the Top 25 Flames over the summer months (June 8-July 31). Each sport will be featured over eight weeks as we preview the upcoming year in UIC Athletics.

In this installment of `Top 25 Flames for 2015-16', we will look at soccer's starting back, senior Thomas Villamil. As the Flames' captain and the anchor of the back line, Villamil helped the team record six shutouts in 2014. The defensive stalwart earned Horizon League First Team All-League honors for the first time after being placing on the Second Team the prior two seasons.

For the second consecutive season, Villamil was recognized for scholarly achievement by being selected for the Horizon League's Fall All-Academic Team. Villamil is an Elementary Education major sporting a 3.36 GPA.

For the 2015 season, UIC looks to build off an impressive 5-2 home record in 2014. Villamil and the Flames seek a similar start to the season as last year when they held opponents to two goals in their first four matches.

Villamil proved to be an iron man for the Flames as he was one of only four to play in all 17 matches. Head coach Sean Phillips will rely upon a veteran backfield to lead the Flames in 2015.

The highlight of Villamil's season was his stellar play in an important 0-0 draw against then-No. 7 Michigan State (Sept. 6). He earned Horizon League Defensive Player of the Week honors following the tie with the Spartans.

In the season opener, Villamil scored the game winning goal against Cal State Fullerton (Aug. 29). During a 4-0 victory in the season finale against Belmont (Nov. 7), Villamil recorded his first career assist on Jesus Torres' goal.

TOP 25 FLAMES
June 8 - Jake Dahlberg
June 10 - Stephenee Yancy