It was less than five years ago that Yevhen Lysak was playing soccer matches in a country so absorbed in the sport that not only did each city have a team, but individual streets fielded squads, as well.

"That's what people in the Ukraine do. People there play soccer the whole day and night because it's the major sport," Lysak said, his accent only slightly palpable.

Fast forward to Monday night when Lysak again was playing the game he loves, this time thousands of miles away in Imperial, as his new team -- Carlynton High School -- was participating in the WPIAL playoffs.

A freshman forward, Lysak was one of five Ukrainians who helped Carlynton soar to its third section title in four seasons. The Cougars (15-2-2) saw their season come to an abrupt end, however, Monday after the Class A Section 4 champions were upset by Trinity Christian, 2-1, in a WPIAL first-round game.

Along with Lysak, the Cougars' Eastern European flavor also included brothers Roman (a senior midfielder) and Voloolymyr Sagaydak (a junior forward), junior midfielder Yuriy Vayats and junior midfielder/defender Mykola Korenovski.

Carlynton coach Larry Fingers said what transpires on the soccer field extends past all boundaries, stating that no matter the roots of a player, the sport brings those participating together and on par with one another.

"When it comes to soccer, it's kind of like a universal language for everyone," said Fingers, in his fourth season coaching a team on which he once was a star player. "It took those guys a while to learn how to play here compared to the way they played there, but once they did they've done very well."

The players and their families now call Carnegie home. Fingers said, historically, the area has a lot of Ukrainian heritage. Many who live in the town might not have grown up in the Ukraine, but they may have ancestors who did.

"We heard there were a lot of Ukrainians here, so we came here," Lysak said.

After his family won a green card allowing them to immigrate to the United States, Lysak said they made the move about four and a half years ago. Those like the Sagaydaks, on the other hand, didn't arrive until this past summer.

When each did, it didn't take them long to gain a comfort level in their new surroundings. Nor was it long before their teammates accepted them.

In response to how living here compares to life in the Ukraine, Lysak said, "Nothing too different except for the holidays."

As for the reaction from his American players toward the Ukrainians, Fingers said it was pleasant and quick.

"The first day was like, 'Hey, these are the Ukrainian kids.' The second day it was like they were in the mix," Fingers said.

The group surely made their presence known when they walked onto the field. In fact, Voloolymyr Sagaydak led the Cougars with 18 goals. His brother, Roman, was also a starter, while Lysak was typically the first forward off the bench.

"It feels good because I think the Ukrainians play a big part on the team," Lysak said.

Added Fingers: "Change is always good and it certainly adds a different dimension. We're not totally dependent on them, but they definitely make a difference."

Lysak said the American style of play differs in that it's much more physical than the style played in his native country, where the game focuses more on skill and technical play.

But while styles may vary, passion for the game is universal. In lieu of playing in what would become their final game on the season, the Cougars practiced Sunday afternoon. A few hours later, Lysak's understanding of what it meant to play in the WPIAL playoffs was clear cut.

"I think we should get to states this year," Lysak said that night. "But we don't know. That could have been our last practice."

But likely not the last of the Ukrainian impact on the Carlynton soccer program.

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