“If it wasn’t for bad luck, I wouldn’t have no luck at all.” – “Born Under a Bad Sign” Cream –

Coach R.C. Bayat and his University of Maine-Machias men’s soccer team did not win a game this fall. The seniors did not win a home game during their college careers.

If ever there was a program with a black cloud hanging over it, it is the UMM soccer team.

Despite an incredible amount of adversity and an 0-12 season, the Clippers never lost their desire to play clean, constructive soccer. For that, they earned the respect of their opponents.

“R.C. is a class act, and they keep playing soccer, even if you’re beating them,” observed Husson Coach Mitch Ellisen. “R.C. loves the sport, and he wants to see it played at a high level. I feel badly that he doesn’t get the support he deserves.”

“They tried to do a few tactical things that higher level teams do, and they were fairly successful at it,” said Maine Maritime Academy Coach Bill Ashby, a former player and coach at UMM. “They attempted to improve with every game.”

The adversities that the program had to deal with are staggering. Bayat was diagnosed with leukemia in 1989. His wife, Gerry, has organized a fund drive to find a bone-marrow transplant for her husband. Two starters have died within the last year. Fullback Steve Mahuka died of a drug overdose a year ago, and, in September, wing Dwayne Reynolds died in a car accident. Bayat lost two more starters to serious injuries early in the season. Senior midfielders Matt Klinkoski suffered a bruised kidney, and Jake Peirce had a hairline fracture in his ankle.

In fact, Bayat had two women on his team, freshmen Arlene Wright and Jessica Worcester. They saw considerable playing time.

It was a trying year for Bayat, but dealing with young people and coaching the sport he loves did have therapeutic advantages.

“The interaction with the players is something I would never trade for anything,” said Bayat. “It keeps you young. It takes your mind off your problems.”

However, he also said it was difficult watching his seniors go four years without winning a home game and having the team go winless this season. “The frustrating part was that we outplayed our opponents in our last four games,” said Bayat.

Bayat is proud that his team always gave “200 percent” and played clean soccer. “That takes a lot of discipline and willpower. That’s why I appreciate and respect them so much,” he said.

Senior captain Keith Williams said coming from a successful high school program in Connecticut to the UMM program was tough.

Never winning a home game was difficult to deal with, but Williams will look back on his career with some fond memories.

“I will always remember the crowds at home. They were very supportive and really vocal,” said Williams. “They knew we put out 100 percent every game. And being a captain the last two years really boosted my confidence level. My skill level has increased tremendously, also.”

Williams sympathized with Bayat’s plight. “Our field is atrocious, and it keeps a lot of people from coming here,” he said.

The two women called it a memorable season. They hope to be back next year.

“I had a great time. I’m sad that it’s over,” said Jessica Wright, a winger and a native of Whitman, Mass. She scored a goal against Unity. “The guys on the team accepted me immediately which surprised me. I learned a lot. R.C. is a great guy. Beyond just being a coach, he taught us to live each day to the fullest because you never know if you’re going to be here tomorrow.”

“R.C. made me feel very comfortable,” said Jessica Worcester, a midfielder and fullback. She played at Waterville High School after growing up in Columbia Falls.

Bayat, an assistant administrator at the Downeast Community Hospital in Machias, said he is not sure if he’ll coach the UMM team next year.

“There was a lot of stress this year, and I don’t need any more stress in my life,” said Bayat. “I wouldn’t mind having free time in September and October so I can be a spectator at soccer games.”

Meanwhile, he and his wife will continue trying to find a bone-marrow donor.

Said Bayat: “I’m just going to try to enjoy every day.”