Robert Younger - Player of the Month
Oct 14, 2008 9:26:18 GMT -6
Post by Big D on Oct 14, 2008 9:26:18 GMT -6
Congrats to Younger....
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Oct. 13, 2008
PLAYER OF THE MONTH
Chicagolandsoccernews honors UIC defender Robert Younger
Kathryn L. Knapp
Defense is one of the most important factors of the UIC Flames’ success. And the key to a successful defense is finding talented players who communicate. Central back Robert Younger has quickly grown into one of the best communicators and defenders on the Flames squad.
“Robert is a very gifted player,” UIC head coach John Trask said. “He turned down pretty lucrative professional opportunities to come to UIC and play with us. He’s a high-end player. Robert does a lot of things that most college players do not.”
Younger said the decision to come to UIC was an easy one, but the transition took some time.
“I wanted to come over to America and get my degree, while moving to the next level in soccer,” Younger said. “Coach Trask saw me play in England, liked what he saw and invited me to UIC.
“When I first came to UIC, I didn’t really know what to expect. We speak the same language, but that’s about it. Playing here is a different style. It took me a while to adapt. Now I’m pretty settled.”
After 13 games, the Flames boast an 8-1-4 record and rank among the nation’s best. Younger has been a force to reckon with in the Flames back line for the past two seasons. In the 38 games he’s played in, opponents have scored 27 goals. UIC has posted 20 shutouts during that time.
UIC dropped its first game of the season, Saturday - a 1-0 loss to Butler. Prior to that, the team had not lost in regular season play since October 28, 2007. After that loss, the Flames went on an eight-game unbeaten streak, taking them all the way to the NCAA quarterfinals. In that stretch UIC outscored opponents 13-1 with seven shutouts. The team fell 2-1 to UMASS snapping the streak.
“The bullseye keeps getting bigger on the guy’s backs,” Trask said. “The special thing about this team is even when we don’t play well, we still get a result. Everybody has good games. To be consistent and always be in the game is unreal. It doesn’t get any easier from here.”
This season the club picked right back up where it left off. In the first 13 games, UIC has outscored opponents 26-9 and posted seven shutouts. Younger has been a big part of that.
“I don’t even remember the last time we’ve lost by more than one goal,” Trask said. “It’s remarkable. It shows the quality of our goalkeeping and our defending.”
Jovan Bubonja has served as the club’s goalkeeper for three seasons. Trask said the relationship that has formed between the two of them is truly a special one.
“Robert is the leader in the back,” Trask said. “He does the communicating. He draws the line. The inter play between him and Jovan is great. They are the shape of the team. Jovan doesn’t have to worry many times because Robert has already taken care of things.”
Bubonja smiled when asked about his center back.
“What can I say about Robert?” Bubonja said. “Without him, we don’t have a solid back line. I enjoy working with him and all the defenders. It is truly a pleasure.”
Trask summed up Younger in three words: “He’s a gamer, skillful and intelligent, with a bright future ahead of him.”
Younger prides himself on his leadership skills.
“I organize and communicate pretty well,” Younger said. “I want to make sure that everyone is in their spots. Now that I’ve been around for a while, I’m getting more respect. My teammates now realize that I know what I’m talking about. They can tell me things too. It works both ways.”
Younger, originally from North Lincolnshire, England, came to UIC to pursue an education and a soccer career. In his two years with the flames, he’s gotten looks from around the country. This past summer, he played with the Chicago Fire’s Super-20 Team. Younger helped the club to the League Championship and was named co-MVP of the tourney. Trask said he saw a difference in Younger when this season started.
“Robert’s experience with the Super-20’s helped his game tremendously,” Trask said. “He’s come a long way in leadership and how he communicates with the players around him.”
As soon as Younger could walk, he said he started playing soccer. He began competing around age six. Younger said he’s always known he wants to play professionally someday.
“My main goal is definitely to make it to the next level,” Younger said. “I’d like to start my career in Major League Soccer and see where it takes me.”
Last season’s run for the College Cup title is still fresh in everyone’s minds.
“Making it as far as we did last year was really good,” Younger said. “But we want more. We’re really good individually. We work really hard. We’ve got the players. And we all believe we can do it.”
Younger and the UIC Flames have four more games, before entering Horizon League play, starting Wednesday at Michigan State (2:00 p.m.). Saturday the Flames host Green Bay at 7:00 p.m. at Flames Field. At this point, the club holds a 2-1-1 record in HL play. Tournament action kicks November 6th.
Younger was named Chicagolandsoccernews.com’s player of the month for September.
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chicagolandsoccernews.com/college/uic2.php?article_id=5179
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Oct. 13, 2008
PLAYER OF THE MONTH
Chicagolandsoccernews honors UIC defender Robert Younger
Kathryn L. Knapp
Defense is one of the most important factors of the UIC Flames’ success. And the key to a successful defense is finding talented players who communicate. Central back Robert Younger has quickly grown into one of the best communicators and defenders on the Flames squad.
“Robert is a very gifted player,” UIC head coach John Trask said. “He turned down pretty lucrative professional opportunities to come to UIC and play with us. He’s a high-end player. Robert does a lot of things that most college players do not.”
Younger said the decision to come to UIC was an easy one, but the transition took some time.
“I wanted to come over to America and get my degree, while moving to the next level in soccer,” Younger said. “Coach Trask saw me play in England, liked what he saw and invited me to UIC.
“When I first came to UIC, I didn’t really know what to expect. We speak the same language, but that’s about it. Playing here is a different style. It took me a while to adapt. Now I’m pretty settled.”
After 13 games, the Flames boast an 8-1-4 record and rank among the nation’s best. Younger has been a force to reckon with in the Flames back line for the past two seasons. In the 38 games he’s played in, opponents have scored 27 goals. UIC has posted 20 shutouts during that time.
UIC dropped its first game of the season, Saturday - a 1-0 loss to Butler. Prior to that, the team had not lost in regular season play since October 28, 2007. After that loss, the Flames went on an eight-game unbeaten streak, taking them all the way to the NCAA quarterfinals. In that stretch UIC outscored opponents 13-1 with seven shutouts. The team fell 2-1 to UMASS snapping the streak.
“The bullseye keeps getting bigger on the guy’s backs,” Trask said. “The special thing about this team is even when we don’t play well, we still get a result. Everybody has good games. To be consistent and always be in the game is unreal. It doesn’t get any easier from here.”
This season the club picked right back up where it left off. In the first 13 games, UIC has outscored opponents 26-9 and posted seven shutouts. Younger has been a big part of that.
“I don’t even remember the last time we’ve lost by more than one goal,” Trask said. “It’s remarkable. It shows the quality of our goalkeeping and our defending.”
Jovan Bubonja has served as the club’s goalkeeper for three seasons. Trask said the relationship that has formed between the two of them is truly a special one.
“Robert is the leader in the back,” Trask said. “He does the communicating. He draws the line. The inter play between him and Jovan is great. They are the shape of the team. Jovan doesn’t have to worry many times because Robert has already taken care of things.”
Bubonja smiled when asked about his center back.
“What can I say about Robert?” Bubonja said. “Without him, we don’t have a solid back line. I enjoy working with him and all the defenders. It is truly a pleasure.”
Trask summed up Younger in three words: “He’s a gamer, skillful and intelligent, with a bright future ahead of him.”
Younger prides himself on his leadership skills.
“I organize and communicate pretty well,” Younger said. “I want to make sure that everyone is in their spots. Now that I’ve been around for a while, I’m getting more respect. My teammates now realize that I know what I’m talking about. They can tell me things too. It works both ways.”
Younger, originally from North Lincolnshire, England, came to UIC to pursue an education and a soccer career. In his two years with the flames, he’s gotten looks from around the country. This past summer, he played with the Chicago Fire’s Super-20 Team. Younger helped the club to the League Championship and was named co-MVP of the tourney. Trask said he saw a difference in Younger when this season started.
“Robert’s experience with the Super-20’s helped his game tremendously,” Trask said. “He’s come a long way in leadership and how he communicates with the players around him.”
As soon as Younger could walk, he said he started playing soccer. He began competing around age six. Younger said he’s always known he wants to play professionally someday.
“My main goal is definitely to make it to the next level,” Younger said. “I’d like to start my career in Major League Soccer and see where it takes me.”
Last season’s run for the College Cup title is still fresh in everyone’s minds.
“Making it as far as we did last year was really good,” Younger said. “But we want more. We’re really good individually. We work really hard. We’ve got the players. And we all believe we can do it.”
Younger and the UIC Flames have four more games, before entering Horizon League play, starting Wednesday at Michigan State (2:00 p.m.). Saturday the Flames host Green Bay at 7:00 p.m. at Flames Field. At this point, the club holds a 2-1-1 record in HL play. Tournament action kicks November 6th.
Younger was named Chicagolandsoccernews.com’s player of the month for September.
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chicagolandsoccernews.com/college/uic2.php?article_id=5179