Celtics Girls Soccer Team Places #2 in Illinois

The LG Celtics 2006 Caleti girls made club history with a 2nd place finish in the 12U Illinois Youth Soccer Junior State Cup last weekend. This is the top level statewide competition in Illinois.

After defeating GLSA Libertyville 4-0 and Northwind SC 2-0, they advanced to the inaugural semifinal Junior Cup competition to play Gateway Rush, ranked second in the state. Down 1-0 at the half, the girls came out on fire to start the second half. Within 10 seconds, Riley Wengerd took the ball and sliced through the defense to score. The go ahead goal came when Olivia Austin pressured Rush’s center midfielder and forced a deflection that bounced over the goalie's head into the net for the decisive goal.

The Championship game was an hour later, with the opponent being the #1 ranked team in Illinois. “While we lost to the top team in the State in the finals, these girls are on a trajectory to play with anyone in this state and region,” said Stephen Brown, parent. The team, consisting of girls from La Grange, LaGrange Park, Chicago and Western Springs are a close knit group of teammates that have become friends throughout their years together.

“I have been privileged to coach these girls for the last 3 years. This is a fantastic achievement for the team and club. They are a very dedicated group, work hard in every training session, and deserve their success. The sky is the limit for them on the field and off,” said coach Brian Kapusta.

“These girls I consider not only my teammates but my friends and also my family. And our team works because we all contribute by putting in effort, trust, determination, talent, focus and more. And when we won that semifinal state cup game it was because we all played that game willing to give those things,” said Izzi Wirtz, midfielder (La Grange).

2006 Celtics Caleti *State Cup Team:
Layden Almer (LaGrange Park)
Olivia Austin (Western Springs)
Abigail Brown (LaGrange Park)
Kate Grubish (LaGrange Park)
Gabriela Kapusta (La Grange)
Libby Langan (La Grange)
Sadie Martinez (Chicago)
Rozlyn Piagnarelli (La Grange)
Josephine Pochocki (LaGrange Park)
Addie Proctor (La Grange)
Avery Wengerd (Western Springs)
Riley Wengerd (Western Springs)
Isabel Wirtz (La Grange)
*Nikolette Weiss (La Grange)
*Kathryn Adams (LaGrange Park)

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.