By Jon Poppen
The last two games for the Shakopee Sabers Boys Soccer team have been one-goal wins. With 5 regular season games left, the Sabers are now 5-4-1.
The first game was against conference foe and 2024 state champion Eagan Wildcats (4-1-2) in Eagan. The Sabers won 1-0 off a beautiful team goal. Momentum built throughout the second half, with connections shifting play from side to side. The ball was moving!
Sophomore goalkeeper Blake Leary came up big in the second half numerous times when Eagan threatened. He kept the momentum in the Sabers’ direction. In the final 10 minutes, the breakthrough came. Luca had the ball at the top of the box and took a shot. Three defenders keyed in on him and missed Jean Carlo sneaking in on a diagonal run. Luca took a touch to draw them in further and then slotted the ball into space. Jean Carlo buried it—blasting it over the goalkeeper’s shoulder and into the back of the net.
Plenty of time remained, and the Wildcats pressed. But the Sabers held on and walked away with their first big win of the year, 1-0.
The most recent game was a 2-1 win over Park of Cottage Grove on Saturday night. Jean Carlo continued his hot streak, scoring both goals.
The first came in the opening half. Jorge dribbled along the sideline and reached the end line. He pulled the keeper to the near post. Jean Carlo cut in front of a defender at the back post and hammered it home. Later in the half, Park tied it up with a long-range shot to send both teams into halftime knotted at 1-1.
The second half was full of tension. Both teams went back and forth, and the Sabers had to weather a heavy storm for about 15 minutes late in the match. But the defense held strong and denied Park a go-ahead goal.
Then, with three minutes to play, Andy chased down a pass along Park’s back line. Jean Carlo joined him to double-team the last defender and force a turnover. From there, it was a foot race—and the Saber speedster won. Jean Carlo found himself on a breakaway, one-on-one with the keeper. He touched the ball around him and calmly passed it into the net.
Park pushed everyone forward in the final minutes, but the Sabers held them off and secured a 2-1 win.
This coming week, the Sabers face Prior Lake on Tuesday, Lakeville North on Thursday, and Apple Valley on Saturday.