University of Chicago’s Julianne Sitch becomes first woman to coach an NCAA men’s soccer team to a championship
Head coach Julianne Sitch of the University of Chicago Maroons directs her team in the final minute of their win against the Williams College Ephs during the Division III Men's Soccer Championship Saturday in Salem
By Jacob Lev, CNN
The University of Chicago’s Julianne Sitch made history Saturday, becoming the first woman to lead an NCAA men’s soccer team to a championship as head coach.
The Maroons defeated Williams College 2-0 to win the NCAA DIII men’s national title, their first in program history, according to a statement from the school.
“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.
The 39-year-old Sitch is in her first year as head coach of the men’s team at UChicago. She was previously 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 did not surrender a goal in either the national semifinal or the national championship match.
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