CHICAGO – Head men's soccer coach Sean Phillips announced that five student-athletes will matriculate to UIC and join the Flames for the 2017 season as the program challenges for its fourth Horizon League title in a five-season span and a second consecutive berth in the NCAA Tournament.

"We are very excited to announce these additional five student athletes to our 2017 recruiting class," said Phillips. "Each player has a winning mentality on and off the field and will be a great addition to our program's culture.  We believe that these five additions improve an already deep and competitive 2017 recruiting class made up our three January enrollees and six student athletes announced in February."

The five latest additions to UIC's roster consist of:

Niko Mihalopoulos – Harper College
Forward:  5'10" – 165 lbs

Niko Mihalopoulos joins the Flames after a successful season at Harper College where he was named a 2015 NJCAA All-American.  The Huntley, Ill., native scored 11 goals and assisted on 4 others, leading the team to one of their best seasons in school history.  He was also named All-Conference and All-Region in 2015, while he finished his high school career with 42 goals and 22 assists, which earned him a spot on the IHSSCA All-State team.  After missing out on his second season with a medical redshirt, the powerful attacking-midfielder/forward will have three years of eligibility with the Flames.

"We have known Niko since his prolific days as a high school athlete, and we are extremely happy that he has chosen to continue his collegiate career with us," noted Phillips. "His dynamic ability to play as an attacking midfielder or forward will prove vital for us in the final third of the field."


Lyes Ghezali – Chicago Fire USSDA
Defender:  6'1" – 170 lbs

Lyes Ghezali will link up with his new teammates in 2017 after spending the last four seasons playing with the Chicago Fire Academy (2015-2017) and Chicago Magic (2013-2015).  The strong center-back won multiple trophies – including the USYS National Championship – while playing for the Chicago Magic, and since then he has led both of his USSDA teams to the USSDA Playoffs in each of the last three seasons.

"We have been speaking with Lyes for the last 16 months about the prospect of playing Division I soccer for us after having previously worked with assistant coach Minos Vlamakis at the Chicago Fire Academy," explained Phillips. "His power, tactical awareness and experience will go a long way in helping our team achieve its goals in 2017 and beyond."



Pablo Maristany – CF Rayo Majadahonda
Defender:  6'2" – 165 lbs

Pablo Maristany will join the Flames in 2017 after spending his entire career in the youth ranks of professional club CF Rayo Majadahonda.  The technically-savvy and tactically-astute defender has started 134 matches in the last four seasons, culminating with a mid-table finish in the 2016-2017 Division de Honor, which is the top youth league of the Spanish Federation.  Playing in the same division as Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, Pablo's qualities shined brightly during a league match against eventual League and Copa de Campeones champions Real Madrid, making several key plays to ensure a hard-fought draw against the perennial powerhouses of Spanish and world football.

"We got a chance to see Pablo live and got to know him during a trip to Madrid and are extremely happy to be bringing an international player of his quality to UIC this fall," Phillips said. "Like most Spanish footballers, he has a technique and understanding of his position on the field that is beyond his years, and we look forward to that type of quality adding to an already fantastic group of players."


Jose Castillo – FC United/Wheeling High School
Goalkeeper – 6'0" – 170 lbs

Jose Castillo will join the Flames' squad after a decorated club career that includes five IYSA State Cups with the Chicago Magic and FC United.  He joins fellow FC United teammates Manny Cerritos and Jake Nunez as part of the 2017 class, and his current team – coached by local legend Yianni Caparos – has already won the Midwest Regional League and clinched a spot in the 2017 USYS National Finals this July by finishing second in the USYS National League.  In addition to these recent accolades, the team still has the IYSA State Cup and the USYS Region II Championship to play for later this month.

"We are excited to be adding a goalkeeper of Jose's quality to our roster for 2017," noted Phillips. "He is aggressive, has fantastic feet and has shown great leadership throughout his highly successful youth career, and the amount of trophies he has captained his club to during that time is a testament to that."


Jordan Moore – Chicago Fire YSC/Eastern Illinois University
Defender – 6'0" – 168 lbs

Jordan Moore will join the Flames' roster in 2017 after spending two seasons at Eastern Illinois University.  The St. Charles, Ill., native played significant minutes during his freshman season but missed last year with medical redshirt, granting him three years of eligibility left.  The versatile defender was named All-Sectional and All-Area while captaining St. Charles East High School and he also captained the Chicago Fire YSC to League, State and Regional championships while making an appearance at the USYS National Finals.

"Jordan was added late in the recruiting cycle, but we are thrilled that a player of his quality and experience will be joining us for 2017," said Phillips. "His previous coaches speak highly of his character, work-rate and leadership on and off the field. Adding a defender with Division I experience is invaluable as we look to build on a successful 2016 season."


This group of five announced above joins six signees that were unveiled in February. To learn more about those incoming student-athletes, please click here. Phillips and his staff also welcomed three mid-year enrollees in January. To learn more about that trio, please click here.