Sitch preps for IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship

By CHARLIE CORR
slidetackles@mail.com

CHICAGO - Eclipse Select Soccer Club alumna Julianne Sitch (Oswego, Ill.), one of the top local talents on the pitch in the Chicagoland area, is now excelling in a different competitive outlet following her professional career.

This Saturday, the former DePaul and Chicago Red Stars midfielder will be competing in Chattanooga, Tenn. in the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship.

"I didn't know what I was going to do competitively after playing soccer, but I knew I wanted to stay in the competitive world and compete," Sitch told Zoie Clift at IRONMAN.com. "This gave me that avenue after I retired from playing."

For the full interview, visit IRONMAN.com.

Eclipse Select's Chicago Red Stars Preview Series

CHICAGO (April 13, 2013) - The National Women’s Soccer League kicks off its first campaign this weekend, with the Chicago Red Stars opening against Seattle Reign FC on Sunday (5 p.m., Village of Lisle – Benedictine University Sports Complex).

The Red Stars roster consists of five players with ties to Eclipse Select Soccer Club: midfielders Leslie Osborne and Julianne Sitch, defenders Rachel Quon and Jackie Santacaterina and goalkeeper Taylor Vancil.

Slide Tackles Communications caught up with all five players. Here are a few snippets:

Leslie Osborne / Chicago Red Stars

LESLIE OSBORNE (Brookfield, Wis.): On reuniting with Eclipse Select President Rory Dames, the Red Stars’ head coach:
“Rory had a huge impact on me when I was a youth player, and at an instrumental age. He has been a mentor and a coach that influenced me as a person and as a player. For me to have the opportunity to come back and play for him again as a professional and be close to my family is a very unique opportunity, and it felt right to do. We have a very good relationship with our communication and respect, so I really appreciate that. I have already learned a lot in the last month playing for him again. I’m excited to continue to grow as a player and person, and as a professional from him, as well.”

Rachel Quon / Chicago Red Stars

RACHEL QUON (Lake Forest, Ill.): On what it was like getting drafted by the Red Stars in January:
“Although the memory was a little blurry since it was only 6 a.m. back at Stanford when the draft was happening, I was very excited to find out I would be playing in Chicago once again. I was grateful to know that I could continue pursuing my passion and do what I love every day.”

Julianne Sitch / Chicago Red Stars

JULIANNE SITCH (Oswego, Ill.): On having the chance to play her home games within 15 miles of her hometown:
“I’ve been lucky to have such a great following through my community, family and friends. They have been supporting me my whole career and it’s great to be able to play close to home for them. They’ve sat through some bad weather to support me. For all of that, I am very grateful to have people like them in my life.”

Jackie Santacaterina / Chicago Red Stars

JACKIE SANTACATERINA (Geneva, Ill.): On the training environment among the Red Stars team and the anticipation of the league:
“I am so happy that the league is back up and running. It’s a competitive, cutthroat environment, but it makes you work and earn your spot every single session. You can learn so much by just watching the example our veteran players have set. I get to train with Olympians and World Cup champions. I’ve taken something positive away from training every day.”

Taylor Vancil / Chicago Red Stars

TAYLOR VANCIL (South Elgin, Ill.): On what it means to represent the Red Stars and community having been a local product through her club days at Eclipse Select:
“Having gone to St. Charles North High School, living in that area for a few years, and playing for Eclipse, it has been such a cool experience to come back and see familiar faces. It means a lot to me to be able to represent the Chicago Red Stars. From the top down, it is such a fantastic organization of hard working people who want nothing more than to provide good role models for kids and to help grow the women’s professional game here in the U.S. It doesn’t get much better than being able to show girls in middle school and high school that you can achieve your dreams if you’re willing to work hard and keep a positive attitude. I hope that we will be able to maintain the NWSL so that girls across the country will have something to aspire to for years to come.”

For the latest Eclipse Select Soccer Club news, visit EclipseSelect.org, and for more about the Chicago Red Stars, visit ChicagoRedStars.net.

Red Stars' Sitch, Weber out for season

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. -- Chicago Red Stars medical staff confirmed Thursday that Red Stars midfielder and Oswego, Ill., native Julianne Sitch will miss the remainder of the 2010 Women's Professional Soccer season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).

Sitch's injury to her right knee took place late in the second half during Chicago's 2-1 loss to the Philadelphia Independence on Wednesday at Toyota Park. In anticipation of a pass, Sitch planted her right foot and quickly rotated, injuring her knee in a non-contact play.

Late Wednesday, team medical staff diagnosed Sitch with a knee sprain before a Thursday doctor's visit confirmed that she tore her ACL.

"Julianne Sitch is a role player who's got the heart of a lion," Red Stars Head Coach Omid Namazi said following Wednesday's match. "She works her butt off, and to replace her is tough."

The Red Stars announce another roster setback with developmental player and Elk Grove Village, Ill., native Elise Weber out for the rest of the season with a labral tear of her left hip -- an injury that occurred during training.

For more, visit ChicagoRedStars.com.

Red Stars face expansion Philly

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. -- The Chicago Red Stars start a three-game homestand this Saturday when they welcome the expansion Philadelphia Independence for a 6 p.m. match at Toyota Park. This is the first meeting between the two Women's Professional Soccer clubs.

Both teams are coming off losses in last week’s competition when the Red Stars fell to FC Gold Pride, 2-0, and Philadelphia was dealt its first loss of the season, a 2-1 decision against Saint Louis Athletica. The Red Stars are looking to capture their first home win of the 2010 season.

"Philadelphia is a very hard-working, physical team and if we're going to match them this weekend we're going to have to compete with them physically," Red Stars Head Coach Emma Hayes said. "They've gotten their results by really grinding out performances and I think they more than fully deserve the position they're in at this stage."

For the full preview, visit ChicagoRedStars.com.

OSWEGO'S SITCH JOINS RED STARS

On Friday, the Chicago Red Stars signed Oswego native and DePaul standout Julianne Sitch. She played this past season for the Women's Professional Soccer champion Sky Blue FC out in New Jersey.

CLICK HERE for the team's release.