Minnesota dad, visiting Rome, watches seminarian son -- at midfield

Published: 2007-04-16

ROME (CNS) -- When Daniel Pogatchnik planned his Easter trip to Rome, watching his son play in a soccer tournament was not on the agenda. But April 14 found Scott Pogatchnik, a 29-year-old seminarian at the Pontifical North American College, starting at midfield in his team's fifth game of the Clericus Cup. His father was in the stands cheering along with other North American Martyrs fans. Daniel Pogatchnik was a little disappointed at the outcome -- a 3-2 loss to the Oblates of Mary Immaculate team -- but impressed with the playing. "They're good. And it's fun to watch. It's a lot more exciting to see live than on TV," the elder Pogatchnik said after the game. They don't play much soccer in Avon, Minn., which is where the Pogatchniks live and where Scott grew up. Unlike other members of the Martyrs team, he had no experience with the game. "Basically, I've played soccer since the Clericus Cup started," Scott Pogatchnik said.

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