The University 0f Chicago team. (Photo courtesy of the University of Chicago)
Head coach Julianne Sitch became the first women’s head coach in history to lead an NCAA men’s soccer program to a national title on Saturday.
She did so as the University of Chicago captured the NCAA Division III men’s national crown with a 2-0 victory over Williams College in Salem, Va.
Robbie Pino netted a 28-yard shot in the 66th minute to put the Maroons ahead. Ryan Yetishefsky sealed the deal late with a long, rolling shot into an empty net to put the bow on the title.
Chicago finished the season at 22-0-1. New York University, directed by another women’s coach, former U.S. women’s national team goalkeeper Kim Wyant, inflicted a scoreless draw on Chicago earlier this autumn.
“All the supporters, our bench was just electric – we always talk about how it takes everyone to win a national championship, and I think we showed that today,” Sitch said.
After a scoreless first half that featured even play, the Maroons stepped up the offensive effort to begin the second half. Pino found the breakthrough as Naz Kabbani fed him in space and he unleashed a rocket shot into the top left corner past the outstretched hand of Williams’ keeper.
“Naz played a great pass in between all three defenders, and I took a touch, and I actually heard Griffin (Wada) say ‘shoot’ from behind me as well, and the defender was kind of dropping off, so I thought, ‘Why not?’ and it ended up going in,” said Pino.
UChicago continued to knock for a second and defended well as the match progressed before Yetishefsky’s sealing goal in the final 20 seconds of the game. Williams had pushed all their players forward for a final set piece and the ball came bounding out to Yetishefsky, whom calmly rolled a shot into the center of a wide-open net from just over the half field line.
The title is the first for the men’s soccer program, which now joins men’s tennis (2022) as UChicago’s two team national champion programs in the NCAA Division III era.
The Maroons had Richard Gillespie, Griffin Wada, Kabbani, Pino and Yetishefsky all named to the NCAA Division III Championship All-Tournament Team. Wada also took home Most Outstanding Defensive Player honors while Pino was named Most Outstanding Offensive Player.
“I think the moment that’s going to stick with me is after Yeti scored that goal, we all ran over to that sideline, and it was all the alumni that we played with and we watched play in the past, and they all celebrated with us,” Wada said. “That’s a special moment, because we wouldn’t be here without those guys.”
"direct" - Google News
December 05, 2022 at 07:53AM
https://ift.tt/6bKoGqa
MAKING HISTORY: Chicago's Sitch becomes first woman coach to direct men's team to a national soccer title - frontrowsoccer.com
"direct" - Google News
https://ift.tt/UmlKDdy
https://ift.tt/PiGMB8L
Direct
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "MAKING HISTORY: Chicago's Sitch becomes first woman coach to direct men's team to a national soccer title - frontrowsoccer.com"
Post a Comment