Feb. 15, 2008

Chicago, Ill.- The success achieved by the UIC men's soccer team over the last three years has not gone unnoticed by College Soccer News, as the national website gave the program high praise in two recent articles.

In its annual salute to the top men's soccer assistant coaches in the country, College Soccer News named UIC assistant coach Sean Phillips one of the 12 best coaches in the nation.

Phillips has been head coach John Trask's right-hand man for the past three years and has played a crucial part in UIC making two consecutive NCAA Tournaments and an Elite Eight appearance this past fall.

A tireless worker with a hand in nearly every aspect of the program, Phillips has helped mold UIC into one of the nation's stingiest squads.

As a goalkeeping savant, Phillips has mentored keeper Jovan Bubonja to a bevy of awards over the past two seasons. Bubonja, a 2007 NSCAA/adidas All-Great Lakes Region First Team selection and College Soccer News All-American, has proven to be one of the best netminders in the nation with a career goals-against average of 0.47 and 22 shutouts in 45 contests.

"I have one of the best assistants in the country," Trask told CSN. "He has been integral in our emergence as a nationally-competitive team."

Trask has always taken pride in the quality of his staff, with Phillips and Aleksey Korol bringing national championship experience to UIC.

"With Sean and Aleksey I feel that we have as fine a staff as there is in the country," said Trask.

In a separate piece titled "If Listed On Wall Street, These Programs Would Be A Good Buy," College Soccer News listed UIC as one of eight teams nationally whose stock is on the rise.

"The Flames have been a poster program for playing solid defense, working hard, and getting the most out of their talent," the article stated. "They should continue to be strong year in and year out, which bodes well for the future of the program. Look for the talent and athleticism to continue to improve at UIC under Trask."

College Soccer News is accessible at collegesoccernews.com.