Storm select Nacovski, Nunes in MISL College Draft
January 29, 2008 - Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2)
Chicago Storm News Release
HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. - The Chicago Storm selected midfielder/forward Vangel Nacovski as their territorial pick and forward Amaury Nunes as their first-round pick during Tuesday's 2008 Major Indoor Soccer League College Draft. The Storm's draft selections included a third-round pick of Arlington Heights, Ill., native Stephen Brust out of Bradley University.
The Storm had the eighth pick out of nine teams in each round. The MISL College Draft consisted of one territorial round, followed by four regular rounds. Teams that participated last year were ranked in the reverse order of last season's final win-loss percentage.
Vangel Nacovski (Crown Point, Ind.) played four seasons at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI). He was voted the Summit League Offensive Player of the Year and is IUPUI's first-ever men's soccer player of the year winner. He led the league with 21 points this past season, becoming only the fifth player in league history to earn four consecutive First Team All-Conference honors.
"He's played a lot of indoor, with some of the guys who currently play in the league," Storm head coach Steve Morris said of Nacovski. "We're comfortable with his game."
In the first round following the territorial selections, the Storm picked Amaury Nunes (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), who was named to the 2007 NSCAA/adidas NAIA All-America First Team.
"He's got some futsal experience, and technically he's very good," Morris said. "He's got good size and knows the rigors of indoor. He can play at multiple positions, from midfielder to target forward."
In the second round, the Storm selected defender Amir Ikner out of the University of Cincinnati. The Olathe, Kan., native ranked third on the Bearcats in minutes played, despite missing a game, and recorded an assist and two goals (one a game-winner).
"Amir is a very talented player, and he's very mobile," Morris said of Ikner. "He has the intangibles to play the game and we look forward to seeing how it will play out in indoor."
In the third round, the Storm selected Arlington Heights, Ill., native Stephen Brust of Bradley University. Brust, who was listed as a defender at Bradley, was named Second Team All-Missouri Valley Conference this past season. The John Hersey High School graduate scored 26 goals in 2002 and earned three varsity letters as a midfielder. He earned all-conference, all-area and all-sectional honors as a high school senior.
"He played a lot last year as a forward," Morris said. "It's nice to gain a local kid, and we feel he can contribute. He's a big, strong boy ... very athletic. He can get up and down the field with high-pressure defense, and he has the ability to go past people."
In the fourth round, the Storm selected forward Frank Jonke out of the University of Louisville. The Pickering, Ontario, native tied for the team lead with two game-winning goals and was tied for second with 14 points (five goals, four assists) as Louisville's men's soccer team earned its first-ever NCAA tournament bid.
"He's a prototypical target man at 6-3," Morris said of Jonke. "He's a big boy, physical, fast and has the ability to hold off defenders."
CHICAGO STORM COLLEGE DRAFT SELECTIONS
(Includes round, name, position and university):
Territorial round: Vangel Nacovski, M/F, IUPUI
First round: Amaury Nunes, F, Fresno Pacific University
Second round: Amir Ikner, D, University of Cincinnati
Third round: Stephen Brust, F, Bradley University
Fourth round: Frank Jonke, F, University of Louisville
The Chicago Storm are members of the Major Indoor Soccer League. Storm offices are located at 5333 Prairie Stone Pkwy., in Hoffman Estates. For more information on all aspects of Storm soccer, including season tickets, group outings, birthday parties and more, call (866) STORM-81, or visit ChicagoStorm.net.
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