By Eric Erickson
Dreams of playing in a professional stadium rarely become reality for high school student athletes. But for soccer players in the St. Paul City Conference, there’s a shot.
Thanks to Minnesota United and their relationship with the St. Paul Public Schools, two high schools get to compete on the perfect pitch at Allianz Field for one magical night every year.
“Friday Night Lights” hit another level for the varsity girls and boys from Como Park and Humboldt on Oct. 3 when they competed for the St. Paul Cup.
Bell Bank sponsored the game and provided free tickets to some 2,400 spectators, who took advantage of the games and produced an energetic environment.
Como and Humboldt were the first two high school teams to ever play at Allianz back in 2021 when their traditional Mayor’s Cup Matches were celebrated on the big stage.
In 2022, Harding and Washington were invited to play for the St. Paul Cup and that became the consistent branding of the match going forward.
The 2023 St. Paul Cup featured Central versus Highland. Johnson got its opportunity in 2024 against fellow East Side school Harding.
And in the fall of 2025, Como and Humboldt were back at the top of the cycle.
It doesn’t matter what the match is called or where it’s played – the intensity and excitement surrounding the rivalry game between Como and Humboldt is bigger than anything else on the schedule.
But if you’re lucky enough to be a varsity player during the year the match is played in the Minnesota United’s stadium – you get to make memories that last a lifetime.
Girls match
The Cougars came into Allianz with a record of 7-5-2 for the season. The Humboldt Hawks entered with a program-best record of 12-1-1 and a top 10 state ranking.
Humboldt started with strong possession and worked their way to a goal by sophomore Way Ber Paw in the 15th minute.
Como responded within four minutes as freshman star Alayla Salas pulled in a pass with a precise touch and slotted her shot into the upper corner to level the match at one.
Humboldt has their own freshman star in Louisa Schmidt, who pounced on a loose ball in the box and calmly passed it by the keeper to stake a 2-1 halftime lead.
With 23 minutes remaining in the match, Humboldt increased its lead to 3-1 when seventh grader Diana Htoo launched a shot from outside the box that spun into the side netting.
But the Cougars never, ever quit.
With seven minutes left, senior captain Lucy Dietz struck a direct free kick from 30 yards out that sailed into the back of the net to make it 3-2.
Despite a determined push to find the equalizer, the Hawks held on to earn the cup.
“The feeling of scoring that goal was unimaginable,” Dietz said. “We had a rush of hope. Unfortunately, we couldn’t get that final goal, but the team fought relentlessly throughout the whole game and that’s all we could’ve ever asked for.”
Boys match
The Cougar boys brought their 9-5-1 record to Allianz to face the 7-5-2 Hawks. Como came out with a vengeance, scoring two goals in the first 10 minutes.
Junior Stephan N’da took a touch to settle a cross from fellow junior Pah Chi and efficiently shot the ball into the right corner. Less than three minutes later, N’da served a cross to senior attacker Blessed Htoo, who blasted a header into the net.
After the dominant start, the score remained 2-0 through halftime and beyond.
Things tightened up with 13 minutes remaining when Humboldt’s Xavier Harris scored on a free kick from beyond the top of the box.
However, Como’s two-goal margin was restored with 3:56 on the clock. Junior midfielder Patrick Tennison launched a shot no Como teammate or fan will ever forget, scoring from 28 yards to seal the deal.
“It was an amazing feeling,” Tennison said. “Greatest game of my life.”
Senior captain Henry Simmons shared the sentiment. As his teammates celebrated their 3-1 victory, Simmons couldn’t stop smiling. “I’m proud of how we conducted ourselves. We played our hearts out and made this the most memorable game of our lives.”
Springboard to State Tournament
The game at Allianz catapulted the Como boys on a magical run through the Section 4AA Tournament and into the State Tournament Semifinals at U.S. Bank Stadium, creating the rarest of realities – high school kids playing in two professional stadiums in the same season!
That joyful situation has created competition and debate regarding what are the greatest game and most memorable moments are.
The Cougars will have time to reflect on that whenever their journey concludes. But they will undoubtedly look back at their October 2025 accomplishments with immense pride.
Como’s next game after the hoisting the St. Paul Cup was a home match versus Columbia Heights in the first round of the section tournament. The No. 4 seeded Cougars outlasted the Hylanders 2-1, surviving and advancing to take on city rival Washington who had earned the No. 1 seed.
After losing to Washington twice in the regular season, Como turned the tables and dominated the Eagles on Washington’s home field with a 5-1 victory. Confidence was soaring heading into the Section 4AA championship game at Mahtomedi.
On a cold, rainy night, it was Patrick Tennison who scored the lone goal late in the second half, heading in a long free kick from teammate Pah Chi and punching Como’s ticket to state. Tennison’s goal was his second of the year, the first being his blast at Allianz.
When asked which goal and game were greater, Tennison smiled and said they were both unforgettable because of what they meant for the team.
Reaching state wasn’t expected after a fourth-place finish in the St. Paul City Conference. But the improvement, confidence, and fearlessness of the Cougars made it possible.
And the Cougars took full advantage of the opportunity they created for themselves by defeating New Ulm, the No. 3 seed, in the state quarterfinals on the neutral site field at Farmington High School.
On to “the Bank!”
This story is still being written. Como faces the state tournament’s No. 2 seed, the Simley Spartans, on Tuesday, October 28 at 2:30 p.m. on the home field of the Minnesota Vikings – U.S. Bank Stadium.
Win or lose, the 2025 soccer season at Como Park High School has made dreams come true.
Eric Erickson is a social studies teacher at Como Park Senior High School and a longtime coach of school and youth sports in St. Paul.
Photo credit: The Como girls’ soccer team at Allianz Field for the St. Paul Cup. Photo by Justin Oakman Photography
