Soccer (Boys)

 

A picture of the boys' soccer team holding a trophy.

With a 13-4-1 record, the 2022 Varsity team won its first conference title in two decades.

 

Overview

The Boys' Soccer Program is open for boys in grades 6-12. The program holds a lot of history, dating back to 1961, when Minnehaha Academy German teacher Guido Kauls established one of the state’s first high school soccer teams.

Kauls coached until 2000, compiling 500 career victories and leading the Redhawks to three state titles. 

In 2022, Senior Co-Captain Samuel Anderson was named the inaugural winner of the Guido Kauls Award, given to a player who "showcases the character, on and off the field, that honors Minnehaha's legendary coach, Guido Kauls." The honor is displayed on a plaque near the Athletic Director's office. 

In his first season as Varsity Head Coach, Sean Jensen established Faith, Community, Joy, and Grace as the cornerstones for the Boys Soccer Program. There were many highlights for the program's five teams during the 2022 Fall season on and off the field. But the season ended with the Varsity team winning its first conference title in 20 years, and finishing with a 13-4-1 record, just one game short of the State Tournament. 

Seniors Samuel Anderson and Jonathan Karpenko, junior Christopher Sanchez, sophomore Donovan Sinicropi, and freshman Elijah Jensen were named All-Conference players, while senior Benjamin Koeckeritz and junior Evan Paton were All-Conference Honorable Mentions.

In addition, Coach Jensen was honored as the Section Coach of the Year. 

Training and student-athlete development is inspired by TOVO, a soccer training program based in Barcelona, Spain founded by Todd Beane, who was professionally and personally connected to the legendary Johan Cruyff. Coach Jensen has studied in Spain under Beane and Oscar Jorquera, a coach for nearly a decade at La Masia, the famed training academy of FC Barcelona.

Character, Cognition, and Competence, in that order, are prioritized in the Minnehaha Boys Soccer Program, and we encourage our players to seek solutions by utilizing their intelligence, vision, and decisiveness. 

One of the program's strengths is high-character coaches who encourage and inspire, striving to foster a joyful but competitive environment so all student-athletes feel welcomed, valued, and challenged.

WCCO featured Coach Sean Jensen and the boys' program in a Home Team segment.

2022 Varsity team with coaches Derek Swanson, Sean Jensen, and Johan Toledano.

2022 JV White team led by David Jankowski.

2022 JV Red Team led by Coach Nate Kange.

2022 5th/6th-Grade team led by Vernon Rowland.

The 2022 7th/8th Grade Team, led by Carlton Wells.

Guido Kauls watching a boys' game.

Guido Kauls talking to the boys' team.

Hall of Fame basketball coach, Larry McKenzie, speaking at a morning team devotional.

A team bonding event at the bowling alley.

Senior co-captain Samuel Anderson wearing the "Player of the Game hat."

The boys' program holds multiple trainings a week throughout the summer, including a 5-on-5 tournament every other Friday. This picture shows the champions one Friday.

More Details

Season: Fall

Grade Levels: 6-12 (grades 6-8 will participate on the Middle School teams; grades 9-12 will participate on Junior Varsity and Varsity teams)

Location: Home games are played at Guido Kauls Field at Minnehaha Academy Upper School.

Summer Training: Most Tuesdays and Thursdays and every other Friday from 9:30am-11:00am for grades 6-12.

Summer Camps: Coach Jensen and players from both the girls' and boys' programs lead co-ed soccer camps during four different weeks throughout the summer for students in grades K-7. For more information and to register, visit our Summer Programs webpage.

 

Coach

Sean Jensen
Head Coach
Click here for Coach Jensen's bio.