Tonci Skroce Named All-American
December 1, 2006
 Nogomenti Klub Los Angeles Croatia would like to congratulate one of its own, Tonci Skroce on being named to the 2006 NSCAA/Adidas Men's Collegiate All America Second Team.
Čestitam Tonči!
Read the full article at: http://uicflames.cstv.com
ALL-AMERICAN UIC's Skroce Honored
CHICAGO – One day after earning All-Great Lakes Region recognition, UIC senior forward Tonci Skroce received one of the greatest honors a collegiate soccer player can get when he was named to the 2006 NCAA Division I Men's NSCAA/adidas All-America Second Team.
Skroce, the 2006 Horizon League Player of the Year, is the second All-American in the UIC soccer program's 25-year Division I history. He becomes the first UIC All-American since Eric Lukin was named to the NSCAA/adidas All-America Third Team in 2000. Lukin was also an All-America Second Team selection in 1999.
Skroce scored seven goals and assisted on seven other scores during a fantastic senior campaign for the Flames. He led the team in assists, points (21) and was second in goals.
The clutch striker had five game-winning goals during a year in which he captained UIC to the 2006 Horizon League regular season title, the school's first at-large berth to the NCAA Tournament, and a school-record stretch of 10 consecutive weeks in the Top 25 national polls.
In his three-year career at UIC, Skroce amassed 19 goals, 10 assists and 48 points in 54 matches in a Flames kit.
In addition to his All-America and All-Region honors, Skroce was a two-time All-Horizon League First Team selection.
Skroce and the 36 other All-America honorees will be invited to the NSCAA All-America luncheon on Saturday, January 13th as part of the 2007 NSCAA Convention in Indianapolis, Ind.
http://chicagolandsoccernews.com
Small Goals Tournament
November 18, 2006
Los Angeles Croatia participated in the second annual small goals tournament in Phoenix, Arizona.
The tournament started with Los Angeles Croatia playing Las Vegas Croatia. In typical Los Angeles Croatia form they fell behind 3-0. Naturally, the team regrouped and beat the Vegas team 5-3. The next match was Los Angeles playing against the host team Phoenix Croatia or as they were known that weekend as “Keti Konjak Kiseljak.” Amazingly, when the game started our starting goalie Tomislav Mamic, was no-where to be found (I wonder if the night before had something to do with it). Well, without our starting goalie Phoenix jumped out to a 2-0 lead; however, once Mamic was found (10 minutes later) the tides quickly turned. On the shoulders of our forwards Stipe Brkic and Tommy Burlic the offense took control and netted 4 goals to take control of the game. The defense led by Ante Zoric and Vinko Zlomislic didn’t allow any further goals and Los Angeles Croatia won 4-2, and finished first in the group stage.
The semi-finals matched up Los Angeles Croatia and Orange County Croatia. This was the most exciting game of the tournament. From the opening kick-off the action was fast and aggressive. Ante Zoric opened the scoring by ripping a shot from half-field that beat the Orange County keeper. OC quickly countered and the score went back and forth and was tied 2-2 at the half. Tommy Burlic opened the scoring in the second half with a shot in the right corner to take a 3-2 lead. Stipe Brkic then scored one of his typical goals and Los Angeles Croatia was up 4-2. OC didn’t give up but the lead was too much to overcome in such short time and Los Angeles ended up winning 5-4.
The finals ended up being a southern California match up between Los Angeles Croatia and Adriatic S.C. San Pedro. After playing 3 games in the not so pleasant Arizona heat both teams were tapped; however, they came to play. The action was slow paced but very competitive.
Stipe Brkic opened up the scoring in the first half with a shot that got passed the Adriatic goalie. Los Angeles held the 1-0 lead for most of the match before Adriatic tied the game with 6 minutes remaining. In overtime Tommy Burlic blasted a shot that beat the Adriatic goalie but hit the post. With about 2 minutes remaining in the first half of overtime Adriatic scored a goal off a free kick and won the tournament.
Los Angeles Croatia would like to thank Adriatic on their victory and Phoenix Croatia for organizing the event.
Los Angeles Croatia would especially like to thank the players who took the time to come down and play in the tournament:
Stipe Brkic, Zinko Zlomislic, Ante Zlomislic, Ante Zoric, Tommy Burlic, Tomislav Mamic, Kenny Fechner, and Dwight Tisdale.
MLS 4-on-4 Small Goals Tournament
September 16, 2006
In Pomona, California, Los Angeles Croatia participated in an MLS sponsored 4-on-4 small goals tournament. The tournament had 52 teams participating. Los Angeles Croatia finished first in group play with a record of 2 wins and 1 loss. They advanced to the quarter-finals by beating Arsenal 7-3 in the round of 16. In the quarter finals Los Angeles Croatia avenged an earlier loss by defeating the Torpedos 3-2 and advanced to the semi-finals.
The semi-final was a hard fought game; however, Los Angeles Croatia could not overcome an early 2 goal deficit and lost 2-1 to the eventual champion.
Los Angeles Croatia ended up finishing in third place. It was a great experience and all the players had a great time at the event. The team would like to thank all the players who participated and a special thanks to Rob Jordan, Slavko Brkic, and mali Nikola Juric who .
The team consisted of Stipe Brkic, Tommy Burlic, John Matijasevic, Vedran Solaja, Joseph Volaric, and Ante Zoric.
News:
The team will next participate in a small goals tournament in Phoenix Arizona the weekend of November 17, 2006 - November 19, 2006
Small goal tournament information can be located on the host cities website: PhoenixCroatians.com
From Dreams to Reality
May 28, 2006, marked the day that the dreams of many local Croatians came true. Nogometni Klub Los Angeles Croatia finished the West Coast Croatian Soccer Tournament as the 2006 Champions. In the third year of Los Angeles Croatia return to the popular soccer tournament its mission was accomplished.
Los Angeles Croatia made the final for the third year in a row, having lost the finals the two previous years. The team is comprised of many local Croatians as well as Croatians from other parts of America. Along with our foreign friends the team has grown more into a family then just a soccer club. We would like to thank all of our fans and sponsors, for their continued support of the team and community, without whom our dream would never have been a reality!
The team would like to dedicate this Championship to the men who founded Los Angeles Croatia, to all the men who played for the club in the past, and to the entire Croatian community.
The team would like to acknowledge all the players and staff from this years Championship team:
Players:
Oliver Zlomislic, Tomislav Mamic, Chris Volk, Erik Wohl, Joel Spencer, Lawrence Smalls, Ante Cop, Eric Lukin, Vinko Zlomislic, Jason Melendez, Stipe Brkic, Tonci Skroce, Brian Forsythe, Matt Couch, Cameron Adams, Goran Vujanovic, Ante Zoric, Kurt Murin, Matthew Lebo, Michael "Roko" Muscet, Mike Mercurciali, and Ante Zlomislic
Manager:
Johnny Matijasevic
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