Coach Todd Tarbox of Saint Albert was recently crowned KMAland Boys Soccer Coach of the Year, a testament to his leadership as the Falcons advanced to the Class 1A state title game.
A Season Defined by Comebacks
The team opened the season with an 11‑4‑2 record but endured a rough April, dropping games to Denison‑Schleswig, South Sioux City and Sioux City East. Yet the Falcons rallied, defeating Van Meter in a substate final on a last‑minute goal by Kyle Irwin, and erased a 2‑0 deficit against West Sioux in the semifinals to win 3‑2.
In the championship match, Saint Albert fell behind 3‑0 early, responded with two goals, but ultimately could not level the score, finishing as runners‑up. The run marked the first time the program has reached the title game since its last state championship in 1998.
Looking Forward
With a strong junior class set to return, the Falcons enter the offseason with momentum and optimism. Coach Tarbox emphasized that the experience gained will shape a promising future for the program.