Dec. 15, 1999

Chicago, Ill. - After leading the University of Illinois at Chicago soccer program to its first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance and finishing second in the country in scoring, junior Eric Lukin (Orland Park, Ill./Sandburg) has been named a NSCAA/adidas Second Team All-American. He becomes the first player in the program’s history to earn the prestigious accolade.

Lukin, who moved into first place on UIC’s all-time scoring list this season, has tallied 35 goals, 23 assists and 93 points during his three-year career. His 3.61 points per game this season ranked second in the country while his 21 goals and 14 assists during the ’99 campaign were also among the nation’s top 10.

The Midwestern Collegiate Conference’s leader in all offensive categories, Lukin also became the soccer program’s first-ever MCC Player of the Year after guiding the Flames to both the regular-season and tournament titles.

The Flames, who lost at Saint Louis, 3-2, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Nov. 21, finished up the year with a school-record 17 wins to just four losses. A repeat trip to the tourney looks to be favorable as UIC returns seven starters in the field, including Lukin, as well as goalkeeper Chris Jamal (Palatine, Ill./Palatine), whose 0.85 goals against average was among the lowest in the country.