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Former Eastern Illinois goalkeeper Mike Novotny made his first career start in the USL Championship professional soccer league on Wednesday (Sept. 30).  Novotny made the start earlier this week as he helped Hartford Athletic pick up a 3-2 win over Philadelphia Union II.  Novotny saved a penalty kick in the 78th minute to help secure the win.
 
Novotny was a four-year starter for EIU ending his career earning Summit League Goalkeeper of the Year honors in 2017.  He would then begin his professional career playing for AFC Ann Arbor in the National Premier Soccer League making eight regular season appearances with six shutouts in goal.  He was named the club's Most Valuable Defensive Player in 2018.
 
From there Novotny signed with Stode IF in the Sweden playing in the third division of the professional league.  He signed with Hartford Athletic in 2019, a season ahead of the club's inaugural season and made his debut with the team on Sept. 26 coming off the bench against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds to help preserve a 1-0 win. 
 
Hartford Athletic will wrap up the regular season of the USL Championship schedule this Sunday playing the New York Red Bulls II.   Hartford will then play in the USL Championship playoffs after clinching a spot of Group F of the Eastern Conference.
 
USL Championship Website 
 
Hartford Athletic Website