With a pair of strikers sidelined due to injuries (Noah Lasorsa/Martin Bulic), the SDSC (Sudbury District Soccer Club) U17 Celtic Boys knew that their defensive acumen would be key, competing at the Frank Sobil Memorial Tournament in Oshawa last weekend.

Surrendering just a single goal over the course of five games, the Celtics advanced to the final, edged 1-0 by the Unionville Milliken Strikers, and returning home with silver medals.

Coach Peter Trainor and company sandwiched a pair of scoreless draws around a 1-0 win over the Woodbridge Strikers, closing out round robin play with a second triumph, by that same score, over Markham ’99.

"I've built this team from the back line out, and all I can say was that they were at there best from the first minute of the weekend until the absolute end," said Trainor. He noted that the midfield trio of Sam Bortolus and Kevin (Rojas) Martin, combined with newcomer Alex Cimino, controlled the middle of the field in every game.

Keepers Kiel Cress and Filippo Mazza split the goaltending duties for the Celtics, who will open regular season play on the Cambrian College field, on May 28th and 29th.

The team has also undertaken a very important endeavour in support of a long-time friend, hosting a pair of "Pink on the Pitch" matches aimed to raise funds to fight cancer.

The first is a league game scheduled for (Saturday) June 11th at 1:00 p.m. at the Delki Dozzi Sports Complex, when Sudbury battles S.C. Toronto. The second outing will feature an exhibition game against the Laurentian Voyageurs women's soccer team on August 23rd at 7:30 p.m. on the turf of the James Jerome Sports Complex.

"Crush Cancer" t-shirts will be sold at both matches at a cost of $10, with proceeds donated to the local chapter of the Cancer Society. Donations will also be accepted on both days.

The 2016 edition of the SDSC U17 Celtics includes Kiel Cress, Filippo Mazza, Noah Gascon, Justin Lamontagne, Dante Corsi, Alex Cimino, Martin Bulic, Noah Lasorsa, Kevin (Rojas) Martin, Ben Runciman, Ben Lagadin, John Squarzolo, Blake Tilson, Max Michel, Jacxsen Cress, Sam Bortolus, Johnny Grebe, Nick Graham, coaches Peter Trainor, Mike Graham and Austin Hodkinson, and team manager Jim Cress.