2006 Soccer Schedule

[UICJohn]

UIC Soccer announced it's 2006 schedule today and when Coach Trask said that in order for his team to get better they had to face top programs, he wasn't lying. Again, UIC will open the pre-season against Indiana and then IPFW. There will also be regular season home contests against DePaul, UMKC, Bradley, and Northwestern. League home games include UWM, CSU, and UWGB. UIC will also have road games against UC Santa Barbara (2004 College Cup Finalists), Florida International, Florida Atlantic, Wisconsin, and the opening game of the season against St. Louis.

All in all, an incredibly tough schedule. But to make strides and to become better, you have to play the best, and UIC will be doing that this season.

And another thing to note - I thought that this project was to be done last year but it wasn't. I have heard nothing more of it but apparently it is done now as all UIC home games appear to be night games (7:00 p.m.). Hopefully, that will be able to boost attendance, seeing as all of the previous home games were at incredibly hard times to attend (3:00 p.m. during the week usually).

[guest]

That home opener against DePaul on a weeknight during the first week of school is a great opportunity to get things started right. If the weather cooperates, there should be a decent crowd.

And what could be better than a victory over a local rival? A total rout. Hopefully the lads will be up to the task.

DePaul won't even be in session, so the crowd should be overwhelmingly UIC.

So, UIC fans, come on out and give the Blue Devils or Blue Douche bags or whatever they call themselves a warm welcome to Flames Field. Its a night game, its $5.00 for fans, free for students, there's plenty of parking at Maxwell/Union so NO EXCUSES.

[Big D]

Sounds like a good schedule. I'm really hoping for a return to the the NCAA tournament this year. Is that unrealistic?

I remember they were talking about adding the lights to the field last year....I bet night games are going to be awesome. And, it's a real good idea if they're looking to get more fans to attend the games. Anyone have any pics of the new field w/ lights?

[UICJohn]

I can't say I know too much about the other teams in the league, but UIC making the NCAA is not unrealistic at all in my opinion. They have a great group of guys coming back. I think they return all of their starters. They beat two ranked teams last season and let's not forget that the year before they were not good. Last year they had one of the best turn arounds in the country and this year we should expect nothing but more improvement. Led by Pavle Dundjer, their All Region selection, and newcomers like Matt Spiess (a high school All American, Missourri Player of the Year, and Missourri is a good soccer state, and a great goal scorer) I honestly think they could make some national noise.

In their Spring game against the Chicago Fire, the starters held their own against the Fire starters, I believe just giving up a 1-0 advantage. Granted, it was an exhibition, but still. And the Fire coaches even said they were amazed at how much the team improved in just one season. Again, I don't know much about the other HL teams and about UIC I only know what I read, but I really think they could do some things this year.

[guest]

uicjohn said:

And another thing to note - I thought that this project was to be done last year but it wasn't. I have heard nothing more of it but apparently it is done now as all UIC home games appear to be night games (7:00 p.m.). Hopefully, that will be able to boost attendance, seeing as all of the previous home games were at incredibly hard times to attend (3:00 p.m. during the week usually).

Walked by Flames Field today - an auger truck drilling holes, there are disassembled light towers lying around and a stack of light bulbs, bags of concrete and other materias under the baseball bleachers. Looks like the lights are a go.