Tech boys soccer scores six goals in largest victory over Apollo in a decade
· Yahoo Sports
ST. CLOUD — Once Tech junior Vaughn Blair came streaking down the field 10 minutes into the match, finding the top of the net off his right foot, it was clear what type of night this would be for the Tigers.
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Just 10 minutes later, senior Abdirahman Salad confirmed the tone with the first of his three goals for the night as Tech went on to beat its crosstown foes Apollo, 6-1. Blair added another goal in the second half as senior Abdulahi Abdi rounded out the scoring with a sixth-minute goal at the end of the first half.
The defeat is the largest margin of victory in the series since Tech beat Apollo 5-0 in 2017 and is the most goals scored in the MaxPreps era (post-2006); it was a historical beat down of the lowly Eagles for Tech this year.
“The boys were ready for this one,” Tech coach Mohamed Aden said. “We know it’s going to be a big battle against Apollo; it’s always tough. Every year we will struggle against each other, but this year the boys came out hard and wanted it bad.”
Now 8-2-1 on the season, the Tigers have secured four consecutive wins and are 6-0-1 since falling 3-1 against Central Lakes-leading Sartell on Sept. 8. They just keep on winning, and the confidence rises with each goal.
“I’m liking how the team is playing,” Salad said. “We are moving forward and getting better over time, and I think we have a good shot to win state this season. We feel very connected [and] we’re moving like a family. We’re getting stronger, building our bonds and out chemistry just keeps building as we play games.”
Such confidence resides in their attack, which was on full display against Apollo. Each of their six wins have come by multiple goals and just once — Sept. 3 against Orono — did the Tigers get held scoreless.
Salad leads the way with 16 goals and 10 assists, alluding to his mentality and hunger for being able to sprint ahead of the pack to make a play at the goal.
“He’s been helping us carry the team on the offensive side,” Aden said. “Those attacks are what saved us; this team attack is our weapon this year. I told everybody when you go on the field, just play hard and do your thing.”
As Tech eyes up a post-season run, the Tigers end the season with four more home games starting with Fergus Falls on Oct. 1. While a conference championship is technically still a possibility, it would require undefeated Sartell to drop games to both Apollo and Fergus Falls to end the season.
Certainly unlikely, but crazier things have happened in high school soccer.
“We just worry about what’s in front of us,” Salad said. “We don’t care about the past, we don’t care about the records. Whatever team it is, we play like it is the section finals, and we try to make sure we get the dub every time.”
You can reach St. Cloud Times sports reporter David Jacobs and send story ideas and tips to [email protected]. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @davidrjacobs10 and on Instagram @ByDavidJacobs.
This article originally appeared on St. Cloud Times: Tech boys soccer scores six goals in largest victory over Apollo in a decade