Chargers blank Kishwaukee 5-0 to clinch Arrowhead Conference title

GALESBURG — The Sandburg men's soccer team finished an undefeated run through the Arrowhead Conference and kept its overall unbeaten streak intact with a 5-0 win Friday over Kishwaukee at Kleine Field.

With the victory, the Chargers (11-2-3 overall, 3-0 Arrowhead) clinched their second straight conference title and third crown in the five years the conference has awarded a championship in men's soccer (2021, 2024 and 2025). Sandburg has won eight straight conference matches dating back to the 2023 season.

Friday's victory also was the 11th straight game this season without a loss for the Chargers. They've gone 8-0-3 during that stretch, outscoring their opponents 34-9. The win over Kishwaukee was their sixth shutout during the run.

Luis Garcia scored the Chargers' last two goals against the Kougars, while Alberto Fernandez Do Carmo, Valentin Kretschmer and Ramon Ponga each had a goal and an assist.

Fernandez Do Carmo's header in the eighth minute off a Teigan Conboy assist got the Chargers on the board first.

In the 40th minute, Ponga's shot was turned aside by the Kishwaukee keeper, but Kretschmer was right there to put away the rebound for a 2-0 lead. The two teamed up again in the 42nd minute. This time it was Kretschmer setting up Ponga for a goal to give Sandburg a 3-0 halftime advantage.

Garcia's pair of goals in the second half gave him a team-leading 13 on the year and helped salt away the victory.

Linus Richtberg's five saves in net gave Sandburg its second straight clean sheet.

UP NEXT
4 p.m. Tuesday vs. Wright (regular season finale)

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