Photo courtesy: BoundIowa

Pablo Mendez scored one goal, assisted on two more, and the Valley High School boys soccer team beat Johnston 3-0 to win the 2025 Class 4A State Championship on Friday, June 6 at Mediacom Stadium.

• The championship is the sixth in Valley boys soccer history and first since 2016. The Tigers and legendary head coach Aziz Haffar finished the season 21-1, winning 21 in a row after a season-opening loss on April 1. 

Kenan Sakanovic scored two goals for the Tigers, who outscored opponents 21-0 during their dominant postseason run. The defense didn’t allow a goal in the last eight games.

How it happened:

• Sakanovic put Valley on the board in the sixth minute with a left-footed offering to the far post. Mendez gave the Tigers some breathing room with his goal in the 18th minute, making it 2-0 at halftime.
• The Tigers maintained the clean sheet in the second half, holding strong in the defending third amid a relentless Johnston attack. The Dragons were looking for a third-straight state championship. 
• Sakanovic sealed the win when he teamed up with Mendez on a counter with under 3 minutes to play, beating the keeper to the near post. 

Box Score 

Valley Boys Soccer Tournament Results

• First Round – Valley 9, Sioux City East 0
• Second Round – Valley 5, Southeast Polk 0
• State Quarterfinal – Valley 3, Pleasant Valley 0
• State Semifinal – Valley 1, Ankeny 0
• State Championship – Valley 3, Johnston 0