Sitch booters in second place at mid-season (12/23/01)

Sitch booters in second place at mid-season

by Dr. Orest Popovych

NEWARK, N.J. - In the just completed first half of the 2001-2002 season, the men's soccer team of the Ukrainian American Sports and Educational Association Chornomorska Sitch of Newark, N.J., has earned the interim second place in the National Division of the Champions League, which operates in New Jersey, New York and Connecticut.

The Sitch team, playing under the name of "Union Ukrainians," has posted six victories: 5:1 vs. Costa Rica United, 7:1 vs. Mercer S.C., 6:3 vs. Waldrick Kickers, 1:0 vs. Hispano American S.C., 4:0 vs. Santa Croce S.C. and 4:2 vs. Makedonija S.C. ; it suffered two defeats, 1:3 vs. Uruguay Cerro and 3:5 vs. Roma S.C.; and had one tie, 1:1 vs. Newark Benfica S.C.

At the end of fall, the standings of the National Division of the Champions League were as follows: 1. Roma (22 points); 2. Union Ukrainians (19); 3. Newark Benfica (15); 4. Uruguay (13); 5. Mercer (13); 6. Makedonija (13); 7. Hispano American (10); 8. Santa Croce (5); 9. Waldwick Kickers (3); 10. Costa Rica (1).

This success of the Sitch booters was a surprise, considering that it was the team's inaugural appearance in the Champions League, where the level of play is higher than in the Garden State Soccer League, in which Sitch had previously competed. The good showing was by no means accidental, as the home-grown Sitch talent is complemented by experienced soccer players newly arrived from Ukraine and other Eastern European countries.

To date Sitch soccer has received financial support from its perennial benefactor Mykola Boychuk, owner of the Days Inn in Bridgewater, N.J., and from the Ukrainian American Federal Credit Union in Newark-Parsippany, N.J.

The spring half of the soccer season will resume in the middle of March 2002.

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