CHICAGO (Sept. 29, 2026) – UIC freshman midfielder Artem Grinblat is the latest member of the Flames' roster to capture Missouri Valley Conference honors, as he was named the MVC Player of the Week on Tuesday morning. Grinblat is the third UIC player in two weeks to be chosen for Valley accolades, joining senior defender Takeru Chiba (Defensive Player of the Week) and graduate student Owen Cornell (Goalkeeper of the Week), who were selected on Sept. 15.
 
Grinblat is the first UIC freshman to garner a conference weekly award since the Flames joined the MVC in 2022, and the first to do so in any conference since Oct. 9, 2017, when rookie Peter Becht was the Horizon League Player of the Week.
 
Residing in Vernon Hills, Ill., Grinblat played a pivotal role in UIC's 4-2 win over Bradley last Friday night at Flames Field in the MVC opener for both squads. The Flames freshman scored the first two goals of his career in the victory, putting UIC ahead for good with a penalty kick conversion in the 47^th minute. He then scored what would prove to be the match-winning goal in the 72^nd minute, becoming the first UIC freshman to score twice in a match since Nov. 10, 2018, when Josiah Ash netted a brace at Wright State in the Horizon League Tournament championship match, sending the Flames to their most recent NCAA Tournament appearance.
 
UIC (3-4-1) is back in action at 7 p.m. (CT) Tuesday when it welcomes No. 10 Notre Dame to Flames Field. It will be Hometown Heroes Night, as the Flames recognize those who have and continue to serve our community and our country. Tickets are still available, but for those unable to attend, Tuesday's match will be broadcast live on ESPN+ and live stats will be available at UICFlames.com.
 
UIC students, staff and youths in eighth grade and under are admitted to all home soccer matches free of charge, while adults and youths in ninth grade and above can purchase tickets for $5 each at the northwest (Morgan St.) or southeast (Granderson Stadium home plate) entrances to Flames Field on match night. Discounted tickets for groups of 10+ adults, are on sale for $3 each. In addition, fans can buy the Flames Fast Pass, a one-time $50 purchase that will provide the bearer with access to all UIC home athletics events (except men's and women's basketball) during the 2026-27 academic year.
 
For more information on UIC men's soccer, fans are encouraged to visit UICFlames.com, or follow the Flames on social media through X (@UIC_MSOC and @UICFlames) and Instagram (@uic_msoc and @uicflames).