University of Chicago soccer coach Julianne Sitch has made NCAA history this weekend when she became the first woman to lead a men's soccer team to a national title.
University of Chicago soccer coach Julianne Sitch has made NCAA history this weekend when she became the first woman to lead a men's soccer team to a national title.
Sitch guided the Maroons to the Division III men’s national title title Saturday, defeating Williams College 2-0. The title is the first in program history, according to a statement from the school, as reported by CNN.
"The credit goes to the team – I mean, these guys have never had a female coach before, and they embraced me as one of their own. And for me, that will forever be a grateful moment," Sitch said following the game.
"Just to watch them play, I’m extremely proud. They wear their heart on their sleeve, they show up every day. The energy, the support, the togetherness, this is a team. We had a heck of a lot of fun this year, and this is a really great way to end our season," she said.
Sitch, 39, is in her first year as head coach of the men’s team at UChicago. She had been an assistant coach for the UChicago women’s soccer team from 2015 to 2017.
The Maroons ended the season with a 22-0-1 record and didn't surrender a goal in either the national semifinal or the national championship match.
