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<\/a>The UIC women\u2019s soccer team, who qualified for the NCAA DI tournament for the first time, react to hearing their name called during the selection show. (Photo: Jami Sponaugle)<\/p>\nOn that same Sunday, the men\u2019s side also won a postseason match, earning a spot in the MVC tournament semifinals after beating Belmont University in Tennessee. Behind junior midfielder Edouard Nys and his NCAA-leading 16 goals, the Flames finished the season with only three losses, tying a program record for the fewest overall defeats.<\/p>\n
While that day was a culmination (and coronation), the journey tells the story.<\/p>\n
With their season on the line, the Flames needed to win each of their last five games to continue.<\/p>\n
It started when they shut out Belmont late last month, putting themselves in a position to play their way into the postseason. After that, they had to win to play another game.<\/p>\n
So, they kept winning.<\/p>\n
First, graduate student and Chicagoan Katelyn Nardulli scored a second-half goal against Northern Iowa in the regular season finale, securing the last seed in the MVC tournament, and keeping her UIC career going. Then it was senior Hannah Gryzik\u2019s turn; her game-winning goal over third-seed Indiana State put UIC in the semifinals.<\/p>\n
During the pressure-packed run towards history, fifth-year head coach David Nikolic was aware of the big picture. He knew the men had reached the NCAA tournament and had success there, and this was a moment for the women. \u201cThis is a soccer school, and we wanted to be part of that tradition,\u201d said Nikolic.<\/p>\n
More soccer, higher stakes<\/p>\n
The semis and finals were a masterclass in goalkeeping taught by two UIC keepers. Chicago native and first-year law student Francesca Faraci starts games, and fellow graduate student Sara Sanabria handles the second half, overtimes and penalty kicks.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s one of the best in the country facing penalties,\u201d said Nikolic. This is his 14th NCAA tournament as a coach (previously, he went with Northwestern and University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee), but his first as a head coach.<\/p>\n
The Flames needed every bit of Sanabria\u2019s expertise and net savvy, as the MVC semi and final both went to a penalty shootout. As tournament MVP, she stopped the final penalty in the championship game against Illinois State, then sprinted towards her teammates to start the celebration.<\/p>\n
The season would end six days later in round one of the NCAA tournament against the top seed Notre Dame, but the lasting impact had already been made.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Flames had arrived, and women\u2019s college soccer should get used to them being around.<\/p>\n
Student success<\/p>\n
Off the field,\u00a0academics get equal emphasis, thanks in part to Student-Athlete Academic Services, which provides student resources and promotes a culture of leadership and life-long learning.<\/p>\n
These dedicated professionals meet regularly with student-athletes, monitoring their academic performance and identifying problem areas. NCAA athletes need to maintain certain grades to keep playing, and the advisors help players juggle academic and athletic responsibilities.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
The unit has four full-time advisors, including Summer Garrison, the academic advisor for men\u2019s soccer.<\/p>\n
Garrison is experienced in balancing college athletics and academics. She graduated summa cum laude from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where she excelled as a soccer student-athlete and was a three-time Academic All-Big Ten Conference honoree. She went on to earn her master\u2019s degree in sports industry management from Georgetown University.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy role here is to help athletes become the best versions of themselves,\u201d said Garrison.<\/p>\n
Garrison is an important part of UIC Athletics\u2019 commitment to overall student success, Nys said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have great support from the coaching staff and academic advisors, especially Summer,\u201d Nys said. \u201cThey are there to help with academics, mental health and other things we might need.\u201d<\/p>\n
Men at work<\/p>\n
While the men\u2019s team fell short of their goal after losing in the MVC tournament semifinals, they were a fun and entertaining group to watch. Their potent offense allowed for an open style of play, where players create and quickly adapt based on what that game gives them.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re a team that likes to combine,\u201d said starting goalie Owen Cornell of the playmaking style.<\/p>\n
That approach and strategy resulted in wins and one of the best starts to a season in program history. The college soccer community took notice: Players earned regular and postseason awards, and a few spent weeks near or at the top of lists showing NCAA statistical leaders.<\/p>\n
The team\u2019s success is a credit to Head Coach Sean Phillips, who completed his\u00a016th season leading the UIC men\u2019s soccer program.<\/p>\n
\u201cWithout a doubt, it\u2019s been one of our most exciting teams to watch,\u201d said Phillips, a former player at college soccer powerhouse Indiana University.<\/p>\n
Even the internet doesn\u2019t allow enough space to list all the accomplishments of superstar forward Nys (see his awards, below). The native of Belgium spent his first two years at Northeast Community College in Norfolk, Nebraska, where he dominated NJCAA Division II Men\u2019s Soccer, leading the nation in goals, assists and points and earning the 2024 Junior College Men\u2019s DII Player of the Year.<\/p>\n
The 5-foot-8-inch dynamo delivered when it mattered most, scoring two goals and two assists at the 2024 NJCAA Men\u2019s Soccer Championship, including the game-winning penalty kick in the national semifinal to help the Hawks secure the first NJCAA national title in school history.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a big adjustment, coming from a small town to one of the biggest cities in the world,\u201d said Nys about going from junior college to NCAA Division I.<\/p>\n
But at UIC, Nys continued his stellar play, ranking throughout the season among the national leaders in multiple statistical categories. The explosive forward is one of only three players in program history to score 15 goals in a season. He can score from anywhere, and his vision is unmatched.<\/p>\n
Only in Chicago<\/p>\n
There are few scenes in college soccer as picturesque as a night game at Flames Field, with the backdrop of the Chicago skyline and the city\u2019s energy acting as a 12th man. Now, thanks to the recent success of both teams, more talented recruits seek the experience of playing at UIC.<\/p>\n
The women\u2019s team has drawn recruits this year from around the Midwest and across the U.S. As they prepared to play their first-ever NCAA tournament game, seven players signed with UIC: goalkeeper Olivia Ochshner, outside midfielder\u00a0Tenley McMenamy, defender Chloe Trinkl, midfielders Lana Esparza and Eleanor Stone, forward Alayna Muths and forward\/midfielder Gracie Lisota.<\/p>\n
With the women\u2019s success this season, UIC soccer has a true program. Both sides play within a culture of student success, teamwork and leadership.<\/p>\n
And they win, too.<\/p>\n
Edouard Nys, third-year student<\/p>\n
MVC Player of the Year\u00a0
MVC Forward of the Year\u00a0\u00a0
First Team All MVC\u00a0
Four-time MVC Offensive Player of the Week (tying a UIC record)\u00a0
Hermann Trophy Midseason Watch List\u00a0selection\u00a0(national player of the year)\u00a0<\/p>\n
Darrell Turcios, third-year student<\/p>\n
Jacobo Cruz, third-year student<\/p>\n
MVC Defensive Player of the Week\u00a0<\/p>\n
Rui Reis, fourth-year student<\/p>\n
2025 Preseason All-MVC Men\u2019s Soccer Team\u00a0selection\u00a0<\/p>\n
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