Hartford Athletic Release
CHARLESTON, Ill. – Former Eastern Illinois men's soccer goalkeeper and 2017 Summit League Goalkeeper of the Year, Mike Novotny, has signed his first professional playing contract in the United States. Novotny announced his signing with the United Soccer League member Hartford Athletic earlier this month.
Â
Novotny, a native of St. Charles, Ill., joined AFC Ann Arbor for the 2018 season after ending his time with EIU. He earned four clean sheets in his first four starts and even earned AFCAA's Most Valuable Defensive Player in 2018. Novotny signed his first profession contract midway through last season to play with Stode IF in Sweden.
Â
While at EIU, Novotny was a four-year starter in goal finishing his career as the 2017 Summit League Goalkeeper of the Year. Novotny posted a 0.95 goals against average as a senior which ranks as the fourth best single season effort in school history. He was a first team All-Summit League selection as a senior and was twice named a second team All-Summit League honoree in goal.  Novotny helped lead Eastern Illinois to back-to-back appearances in The Summit League Tournament in 2016 & 2017.
