The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Jakovic Selected To Canadian Olympic Team
2/19/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Feb. 19, 2008
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - UAB midfielder/forward Dejan Jakovic has been selected to the Under 23 Canadian National team, which will participate in the CONCACAF U-23 Championship/Olympic Qualifying Tournament later this spring. Jakovic is the first UAB player to play for his country on an Olympic team.
"This is a terrific honor for Dejan," UAB head coach Mike Getman said. "Dejan has worked very hard to get to where he is as a soccer player. So for him to get this opportunity to play on the international level is something that will only help him as a player. It is a great honor and I am excited for him."
Last month, Jakovic trained with Canada's Men's National Team for World Cup preparations. He participated in both of Canada's games, earning his first two international caps in his career.
The rising senior is coming off a standout campaign in which he was tabbed to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) first-team All-Region. Jakovic, who was tabbed as a first-team all-region honoree in each of the last two years, is just the third UAB soccer two-time first-team recipients to be honored by the NSCAA. The Etibicoke, Ontario native is also one of eight players in UAB men's soccer history to have earned first-team all-region honors.
Despite battling injuries throughout the season, Jakovic finished the '07 campaign leading UAB in goals (6) and points (13). Jakovic showed the type of player he can be when healthy, as he paced the Blazers to a victory at then-No. 10 Indiana (Sept. 21). In that contest, Jakovic accounted for two goals en route to the 2-1 upset win over the Hoosiers.
Jakovic, who was one of 29 players selected to the preseason MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List, also earned a spot on the 2007 first-team All-Conference USA team, marking the second straight year he garnered a spot on the league's first team and the third time in three seasons he was tabbed All-C-USA (earned second team accolades as a freshman).
