UIC head men's soccer coach Sean Phillips is pleased to announce the addition of three players with Chicago-area roots to the program.  The trio of transfer students enrolled at UIC at the beginning of the spring semester and all will have multiple years of eligibility with the Flames.
 
Jesus Perez – Freshman – Waukegan, Ill./Waukegan High School/University of Akron/ Chicago Fire Academy
Midfield:  5'10" – 145 lbs
Jesus joins the Flames this winter after transferring from the University of Akron, where the Waukegan native played in 10 matches while helping the Zips reach the 2^nd Round of the NCAA Tournament.  Before joining the Zips, Perez had a glittering youth career that included a USYS State, Regional and National Championship and USSDA Final Four appearance with Chicago Magic PSG, before spending his last year with the Chicago Fire Academy's U18 team as well as training with the first team.  According to TopDrawerSoccer.com, Jesus was the sixth rated player in the Midwest coming out of High School after being called into US Youth National Team camps as well.

"Jesus is a player that was on the radar of most Division I schools in the country as a youth player, and we are thrilled that he has chosen to continue his collegiate career with us this semester," Phillips said.  "His vision, passing and speed of play will help us immediately as we look to build on last year's success."
 




Sawyer Jackman – Sophomore – St. Charles, Ill./St. Charles East High School/Florida Gulf Coast University/Chicago Fire Academy
Goalkeeper:  6'1" – 185 lbs
Sawyer makes the move back to the state of Illinois this winter after spending the last two seasons at Florida Gulf Coast University.  The St. Charles native was 11-2-1 over his two seasons in Ft. Myers, Florida - including a 9-1-1 record in goal during the 2016 season – helping the Eagles to the 2^nd Round of the NCAA Tournament this past Fall.  Prior to beginning his collegiate career, Jackman was club teammates with current UIC players Oscar Gonzalez, Mike Jimenez and Cristian Sanchez, helping the Chicago Fire Academy capture the 2015 USSDA U18 National Championship under Larry Sunderland and assisted by Gonzalo Segares, Stan Anderson and current UIC assistant Minos Vlamakis.

In Jackman, Phillips saw a chance to fill an immediate need.  "With the departure of 2017 MLS SuperDraft Pick Andrew Putna after this fall, it was important to add proven collegiate experience to a young and talented returning goalkeeping core.  Sawyer ticks those boxes and will provide great competition to the existing quality of the most important position on the field," he said.
 



Ricardo Vega – Sophomore – Chicago, Ill./Kelly High School/Prairie State College
Midfielder/Forward:  5'7" – 140 lbs
Ricardo maintained his Chicago roots by joining up with the Flames this winter after spending two seasons at Prairie State College in Chicago Heights.  In 30 matches with the Pioneers, Vega contributed 11 goals and 10 assists, earning a spot on the All-Conference First Team in the process.  Prior to starting college in 2015, the Kelly High School graduate was a force in the CPS.  Vega helped the Trojans to the City Championship in 2012 and finished his career with 33 goals and 25 assists, earning IHSSCA All-State after his senior season.

Phillips said that Vega could fill multiple roles on the squad.  "We recognized Ricardo's talents during his High School career and are happy that he is on campus now after two solid seasons at Prairie State College.  He is a technically gifted and pacey player who is comfortable wide across all three lines as well as through the middle in the attack, and his versatility will be very important for us this semester and going into his last two years," he stated.

UIC will return to action this fall as the defending Horizon League champions.