LG Celtics Boys Soccer Team Finalist in National Championship

The LG Celtics 2005 Boys’ First XI team has just completed a historic USYS Presidents Cup tournament run for the Club that took the boys to the National Championship match. The boys are the first Celtics team to advance to the finals of the Midwest Regionals. At this tournament the boys advanced from pool play (as the wild card) and then won the semifinal (1-0 vs Overland FC Academy) and the final (4-2 in overtime vs Dakota Alliance SC). They advanced to the National Tournament in Murfreesboro, TN where they finished second in pool play with a record of 1 win 0 losses and 2 ties. They lost a thrilling final to the 30th ranked team in the nation (Downtown LA SC), with the outcome of the match not being decided until the final minutes of the 2nd half.

In this historic club tournament run, the 2005 Boys played 16 games winning 12 drawing 2 and losing only 2 (including that thrilling National Final). In their run to the National Championship game, the 2005 Boys played teams from Illinois, Ohio, Kansas, South Dakota, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma and California.

"This national success really represents the growth of the Celtics and how our First XI program is taking big steps forward," Celtics Director of Coaching Andrew Taylor said.

In the National Tournament, the 2005 Boys tied teams from Pennsylvania, Ukrainian Nationals (1-1) and Oklahoma, Oklahoma City United (1-1) and defeated California, Downtown LA SC (3-1) to earn a berth in the National Championship match.

In the National title game, the 2005 Boys’ held Downtown LA SC to one goal until the final 3 minutes when, unfortunately while pushing for the equalizer, Downtown LA SC was able to score 3 goals. Throughout the entire President’s Cup Tournament series (State, Regional, and National) regardless of the score, the opponent, or the pressure, the team played with Conatu et Constantia (effort and determination).

Three Celtics players were honored as “Best XI” at Nationals: Larry Martinez, John Carr and Ryan Wilson. The club is very proud of the hard work and dedication of these players and that of the entire 2005 Boys’ First XI Team.

Coach Paul Labbato said, “I am very proud of our players for the sacrifices they have made over the past year. Extra training and preparation were key to these boys coming together and making this fantastic run to Nationals.”

The 2005 Boys have set a standard of professionalism, excellence, and skill that the club expects from its First XI participants. The Celtics are looking forward to continued success as more teams aspire to follow the path of the 2005 Boys. Currently, Celtics’ teams (boys and girls) compete against the best teams in Illinois and the Midwest Region.

Celtics First XI 2005 Boys’ Team:
John Barrette (LaGrange)
Kole Beck-Jewusiak (LaGrange)
Liam Carolan (LaGrange)
John Carr (LaGrange)
Colin Chough (Burr Ridge)
Luke Cieniawski (LaGrange)
Andrew Follenweider (LaGrange)
Ryan Good (LaGrange)
Jackson Kirk (LaGrange)
Braedyn Martinez (LaGrange Park)
Larry Martinez Jr. (Willow Springs)
Finn Murray (LaGrange Park)
Thomas Newcomb (LaGrange)
Haris Sarajlija (Brookfield)
Collin Sullivan (LaGrange Park)
Danny Svelnis (Western Springs)
William Swicionis (LaGrange Park)
Benjamin Swicionis (LaGrange Park)
Joseph Wanner (Riverside)
Ryan Wilson (Downers Grove)
Angel Zarazua (LaGrange Highlands)

The LG Celtics Soccer Club was formed in 2008. The club is committed to all levels of program development and competition, from local travel soccer to elite First XI teams. Every year, our parents report that the club's greatest strength is caring about every player and creating an environment in which players can grow in confidence and improve their game. For more information about our programs visit our website www.theceltics.org.