The UIC men's soccer team and head coach Sean Phillips are pleased to introduce the newest members of the program.  Six student-athletes have signed national letters of intent to enroll at UIC in the fall and join the defending Horizon League champion and NCAA Tournament participant Flames.

"We are excited to announce this initial group of six student athletes to our recruiting class," Phillips said.  "Coaches Korol and Vlamakis did another outstanding job of identifying the type of soccer player and person we want representing UIC.  While we lost key players in each line this past fall, our mid-year transfers combined with our fall additions will add quality and competition to each position on the team."

The incoming class of 2021 consists of:

Markell Saddler – Toronto, Canada/Lewis & Clark Community College/Sigma FC
Forward:  5'8" – 154 lbs
Markell finished up has two-year career at Lewis & Clark Community College with 43 starts, 20 goals and 13 assists while being named to the 2016 NJCAA All-Region team.  His efforts helped the Trailblazers to their most successful season in school history, earning a spot at the 2015 NJCAA National Championships.  On the club side, the Toronto, Canada native has played for Sigma FC, a renowned Canadian club that has a strong history of developing collegiate and professional players.

Phillips was glad to finally have Saddler officially in the fold.  "Markell is an extremely talented attacking player that we have had our eyes on for a while.  His combination of pace, technique, work-rate and aggressiveness both on and off the ball fits in perfectly with the way we like to play," he said.
 


Manny Cerritos – Chicago, Ill./Mount Carmel High School/FC United
Defender:  5'11" – 150 lbs
Cerritos captained Mount Carmel's soccer team to their best season in history, as the Caravan finished up in 2^nd place after losing the IHSA 2A State Championship in double-overtime.  After starting every match and captaining the Chicago Fire's U16 Development Academy team to the USSDA Final Four in the summer of 2016, Manny moved to FC United this season.  His U18 team are the defending IYSA State Champions and are currently amongst the top teams in the USYS National League after going unbeaten in their first round of matches this winter.  He will be joining up with current club teammate Jake Nunez on the Flames roster next fall.

Though Cerritos will be a freshman in the fall, Phillips believes his experience will belie his age.  "Manny has been on our radar for several years and we are thrilled to add a defender of his caliber to our team.  There are few players in the country with his experience both nationally and internationally, and we expect him to continue his success with us," the coach said.
 


Peter Becht – Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove South/Chicago Fire Juniors South
Midfield:  6'1" – 150 lbs
Becht finished up a fantastic career with 22 goals and 13 assists out of midfield at Downers Grove South by being named IHSSCA All-State as well as All-Area Player of the Year.  Becht has continued with his scoring touch at the club level, helping the Chicago Fire Juniors South to a 2^nd place finish in last year's IYSA State Cup as well as being the leading scorer at the 2016 USYS Region II Championships.  He scored an 87^th minute equalizer in the USYS Region II Championship match before his team narrowly lost in penalty kicks.

"Peter really caught our eye in last year's IYSA State Cup and after his dominating performances at the 2016 USYS Region II Championships as well as his play in midfield for Downers Grove South," Phillips said, adding, "we look forward to seeing him do more of the same for the next several years with us."





Jake Nunez – Lincolnshire, Ill./Stevenson/FC United
Midfield:  5'10" – 150 lbs
Nunez controlled the midfield for the Patriots and chipped in with 8 goals and 6 assists in the 2016 season, earning All-Conference, All-Area and All-Sectional honors in the process.  After playing with Chicago Magic's Academy for several years, he has played the last two seasons with FC United, helping the club win the IYSA State Cup and leading them to the top of the USYS National League table after the first half of matches this winter.  He will be joining up with current club teammate Manny Cerritos on the Flames roster next fall.

Phillips thinks Nunez' versatility will make him a great fit on the Flames.  "Jake is a technically savvy midfielder who loves to attack but is equally comfortable as ball-winner that can break up his opponent's play," Phillips explained.  "His style of play fits perfectly with our system and as a competitor his desire to succeed and help his team kick on should pave the way for a great collegiate career."
 



Tomasz Kania – Addison, Ill./Addison Trail/FC United
Midfield: 5'10" – 163 lbs
Kania has been the midfield general and captain for Addison Trail since his sophomore year, and his 35 goals and 18 assists since then have earned him multiple All-Conference and All-Sectional awards in the process.  His efforts helped lead the Trail Blazers to their most successful season in school history, finishing up 2016 with a 22-2 record, including winning 17 matches in a row before their season was ended in the Sectional Finals.  Kania will continue his club career this spring with FC United, the same club as fellow 2017 recruits Manny Cerritos and Jake Nunez.

Beyond Kania's statistics, Phillips thinks his intangibles will be an asset to UIC.  "Tomasz is an all-action midfielder who really caught our eye at the Pepsi Showdown.  He had an unwavering desire to help his team win, and his fierce competitiveness and mentality will work well within the NCAA Division I level," he stated.
 



David Gorniak – St. Charles, Ill./St. Charles North/Campton United
Midfield:  5'8" – 150 lbs
Gorniak joins the Flames after a stellar high school campaign where he scored 12 goals while assisting on 8 others during his senior year for St. Charles North, leading them to Sectionals and earning All-Conference in the process.  On the club side, after playing in the USSDA for the Chicago Fire, Gorniak will play for Campton United, who are currently ranked as the top team in Illinois and the #3 team in the Region according to gotsoccer's rankings.

Gorniak is another versatile player who will give Phillips plenty of options when assembling his lineup.  "David is a pit-bull on the field with loads of pace and aggressiveness in his game which will transfer over perfectly at our level, and his ability to play multiple positions will be an asset to our program for the next 4 years," he said.

This talented group of newcomers will immediately compete for the four primary starting positions that will be lost to graduation, and contribute to a Flames squad that will challenge for its fourth Horizon League title in five years, as well as its first back-to-back NCAA berths since 2006-08.