Santa Rosa United U13 Celtic team wins boys soccer tournament

The U13 Celtic team has notched its second consecutive victory at the Nor Cal State Cup.|
LORI A. CARTER
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

The Santa Rosa United boys U13 Celtic team has notched its second consecutive victory at the Nor Cal State Cup, downing Santa Clara Sporting 3-1 in the championship soccer match in Modesto last weekend.

About 160 teams from throughout the state enter the prestigious tournament, said United coach Kelcey Chaidez. They are narrowed to?the finals through two group competitions and a tournament held Feb. 6 at the Mary Grogan Soccer Complex in Modesto.

The Santa Rosa team won 2-0 in the quarterfinals and 3-0 in the semifinals en route to the championship.

Attacking center-midfielder Gael Cervera scored two goals in the semis and two in the final. Goalkeeper Josmar Leon walked away with two clean sheets in the final three games.

“The whole team is very good, but he put us on his back,” Chaidez said. “And the job the defense of this team did, to only allow one goal, was special.”

The U13 Celtic is made up of boys from throughout Sonoma County, with a few from Napa, St. Helena, Ukiah and Novato. Many of the kids have been together since they were under-9 players.

You can reach Lori A. Carter at 521-5470 or lori.carter@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @loriacarter.

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