Jacob Graiber (Plainfield, Ill.) was named to United Soccer Coaches' Scholar All-America Second Team today.

"Jacob is quickly becoming the epitome of everything you want in a student-athlete," Sean Phillips said.  "He is a second-team all-region, the Defensive Player of the Year, an All-Conference first teamer, and after a strong group graduated last year, he was challenged to be a captain of this team.  He's been great in everything we've asked of him.  This is a very fair recognition for what he's done for the program on the field and in the classroom."

The announcement came two days after United Soccer Coaches released their Scholar All-Region teams.  Graiber is one of three defenders on the nine-member North/Central Region squad.  He holds a 3.41 GPA in Finance and Business Analytics.

Graiber is the only Horizon League player on the Scholar All-America teams.  He is one of only three players from the North/Central Region to make the All-American list.

This marks the third straight year UIC has had a Scholar All-Region selection.  Oscar Gonzalez was recognized the last two years.  Thomas Villamil made the All-Region team in 2015.  Gonzalez was a third-team Scholar All-American last year.

Graiber made the Horizon League All-Tournament Team for the second straight year, capping a season in which he was named the conference's Defensive Player of the Year and a First Team All-League selection.  The durable defender played all but 16 minutes of the Flames' season.  He scored two goals – a game-winning strike and a game-tying header – and had one assist.

United Soccer Coaches placed Graiber on their Second Team All-Region squad for his accomplishments on the pitch.

The criteria for Scholar All-Region and All-American recognition include:

• 3.30 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) or better throughout career
• Started more than 50 percent of all games and significantly contribute to their team
• Nominated by head coach of current College Services member institution
• Junior or above in academic standing; and, if a transfer student, in second year at school