St. Charles Celtics Lose in Over 38 State Cup Final

8/19/09-In the first ever over 38 State Cup final competition, St. Charles Celtics lost 2-1 to Green and White. As the team traveled to the match in a downpour and tornado warning conditions we wondered if we would make it to the game. When kick off approached, the weather cleared and the match was on. Both teams started off like the weather, storming each other’s goals with hard crosses and powerful shots. In the 20-minute mark Scott Sheen sent a low cross to the far post, Gary Cole out paced his defender and scored the first goal. Five minutes later Andy Finn sent in an excellent cross to Pat Nash, he finished with a well-struck header to the upper 90. Halftime 1-1.
 

Back row, left to right: Randy Kula, Andy Kramer, Kurt Tierney, Bernie Czekajlo, Jason Souden,
Scott Soukup, Mark Crosbie, Tim Petsche, Colm Headley, David Rout.
Front row, left to right: John Mytych, Scott Sheen, Ken Fanale, Sean Creed, Tom Waters,
Brian Swindle, Gary Cole.

With 20 minutes left in the second half Green and White sent a long through ball to the left corner, Todd Schneider eluded the Celtics defender on the wet pitch and went through on a breakaway. An easy pass to Grant Smale made the score 2-1. Celtics came back with several close chances at the end of the game, even having a goal called back. John Dunkas of Green and White said, “It could have gone either way at any point”.

Congratulations to Green and White on a good win and great post match hospitality at their clubhouse. Thanks to Bernie Czekajlo (former Green and White player) for the refreshments after the game and thanks to Randy Kula for taking the post match pictures.
 
St. Charles Celtics

To see more photos of the event click here. Or click on the Photos button on the home page and go to the drop down menu and select "2009 Celtics Over 38 State Cup".