The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Jakovic Named C-USA Defensive Player Of The Week
10/31/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Oct. 31, 2005
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - UAB sophomore defender Dejan Jakovic has been named Conference USA's Men's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week for the week ending Oct. 30, the league announced Monday. It is the second weekly honor for UAB this season. Jason McLaughlin garnered offensive honors on Oct. 16.
Jakovic, a native of Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada, anchored a defense that recorded two weekend shutouts - a 1-0 win against UCF Friday and 3-0 victory over Florida International Sunday. In the win versus FIU, Jakovic marked 2004 All-South Region forward Carron Williams, limiting one of the conference's top five goal scorers to just one shot for the match.
"Game-in and game-out, Dejan Jakovic has been the best defender on the field this season," UAB head coach Mike Getman said. "And with no disrespect to our opponents, that's on both teams. In my opinion, he is the top marking back in Conference USA and one of the best marking backs in the country. He is very deserving of the honor. His size, strength and speed force other teams to attack differently, which makes us a better team."
Jakovic has helped UAB win four of its last five matches heading toward postseason play. The Blazers have also recorded three shutouts in four matches as well. He and the Blazers have six shutouts on the season.
UAB is 10-6-1 overall and 5-3-1 in C-USA play. The Blazers are idle until the Conference USA Tournament which will be played Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, Nov. 9, 11 and 13 at SMU's Westcott Field in Dallas, Texas. The seedings for the tournament will be finalized after this weekend's play at UCF and Florida International, which are making up matches with South Carolina and East Carolina cancelled by Hurricane Wilma two weeks ago.
