International-minded UIC soccer now All-American
Bubonja, Husidic named among nation's best
Andrew Smothers
Issue date: 1/12/09 Section: Sports
Another banner year for UIC soccer ended in historic fashion as juniors Jovan Bubonja and Baggio Husidic were named NSCAA first team All-Americans last month.
Bubonja, of Belgrade, Serbia and Husidic, originally from Velika Kladusa, Bosnia were also named to College Soccer News' first team.
The awards marked the first time in UIC's 26-year history as a Division I program that any Flames player was named to the nation's top team, let alone two.
"Congratulations to Jovan and Baggio for this tremendous accomplishment," said UIC head coach John Trask. "To be the first two First Team All-Americans in the history of UIC soccer is truly amazing. There have been so many great players who have worn the Flames jerseys over the years, and for Jovan and Baggio to be mentioned with the all-time greats is something that can never be taken away from them."
Bubonja, the only goalkeeper named to the first-team, turned in 10 shutouts in 2008, allowing just 14 goals in 21 matches for a goals-against average of 0.63 while making 57 saves. He was named a semifinalist for the 2008 Missouri Athletic Club Hermann Trophy honoring the nation's top college soccer player, as well as a three-time NSCAA/adidas All-Great Lakes Region First Team pick.
No official word has been made regarding whether Bubonja will enter the MLS Draft this season.
Husidic was magnificent offensively in 2008, scoring nine goals while serving up six assists for 24 points. He was named to the 2008 NSCAA/adidas All-Great Lakes Region First Team, the TopDrawerSoccer.com Team of the Season First Team and the All-Horizon League First Team while bringing home the Horizon League Player of the Year and Horizon League Offensive Player of the Year awards.
This past Wednesday he signed a Generation adidas contract with Major League Soccer and will play for an MLS team beginning in 2009.
Bubonja, of Belgrade, Serbia and Husidic, originally from Velika Kladusa, Bosnia were also named to College Soccer News' first team.
The awards marked the first time in UIC's 26-year history as a Division I program that any Flames player was named to the nation's top team, let alone two.
"Congratulations to Jovan and Baggio for this tremendous accomplishment," said UIC head coach John Trask. "To be the first two First Team All-Americans in the history of UIC soccer is truly amazing. There have been so many great players who have worn the Flames jerseys over the years, and for Jovan and Baggio to be mentioned with the all-time greats is something that can never be taken away from them."
Bubonja, the only goalkeeper named to the first-team, turned in 10 shutouts in 2008, allowing just 14 goals in 21 matches for a goals-against average of 0.63 while making 57 saves. He was named a semifinalist for the 2008 Missouri Athletic Club Hermann Trophy honoring the nation's top college soccer player, as well as a three-time NSCAA/adidas All-Great Lakes Region First Team pick.
No official word has been made regarding whether Bubonja will enter the MLS Draft this season.
Husidic was magnificent offensively in 2008, scoring nine goals while serving up six assists for 24 points. He was named to the 2008 NSCAA/adidas All-Great Lakes Region First Team, the TopDrawerSoccer.com Team of the Season First Team and the All-Horizon League First Team while bringing home the Horizon League Player of the Year and Horizon League Offensive Player of the Year awards.
This past Wednesday he signed a Generation adidas contract with Major League Soccer and will play for an MLS team beginning in 2009.
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