SOCCER

On the boys side, Mayo, PIZM and Winona Cotter all eye conference titles in southeastern Minnesota, while on the girls side, it will be a toss-up.

Third-place Minnesota (13-9-5) travels to sixth-place Real Salt Lake (10-8-9) for an 8:30 p.m. CT kickoff Wednesday at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah.

Kallman will be elevated to a starting center back spot for Minnesota United’s stretch run toward the MLS Cup Playoffs.

Minnesota United has built itself into a good team on the rise through 26 games this season.

In that seven-match stretch, Lod has averaged four interceptions and posted passing accuracy levels of at least 86 percent.

The Loons dealt with a steady stream of pressure, but made the most of their few opportunities to take all three points on the road.

Carlos Vela scores the opening goal in the third minute of the game.

One of Dayne St. Clair’s first soccer memories is from roughly 20 years ago with him juggling a plastic balloon at his grandmother’s home in the Toronto area. The young Canadian wasn’t yet good enough with his feet to keep a heavier soccer ball aloft; he needed an inflatable orb that would hang in the air a bit longer.

Loons manager Adrian Heath said Hlongwane’s thought process had been indicative of his shots to start the season.