Back from Bosnia, Streamwood’s AJ Sabanovic raises the bar for himself. ‘We’re going for 40-something goals.’

While most players spent their summer working with their high school and club teams, Streamwood’s AJ Sabanovic decided to create a completely different experience.

Coming off of a 20-goal season that netted him all-state honors, the senior forward instead spent the majority of his summer back in his family’s homeland of Bosnia.

He worked with a trainer and an academy over two months in his parents’ hometown of Sarajevo.

“It was just a lot of hard work,” Sabanovic said. “Wake up and it’s just soccer, come home and do more stuff by yourself. It was just getting ready for this season, honestly.”

While some high school coaches may worry about having their star player so far away all summer, Streamwood coach Matt Polovin encouraged Sabanovic to take the opportunity.

“That shows his dedication to the game, his commitment level,” Polovin said. “He wants to be the best player every time he steps on the field. That’s him. He’s been like that all four years.

“I told him to enjoy it. You get a once-in-a-lifetime chance to go out there and train with the big boys and do all the stuff they’re doing. He’s really put in the time and effort.”

Aside from the soccer aspect, Sabanovic treasured his time in Bosnia. His parents came to the United States in the midst of a war and AJ was born in America.

He got the rare chance to spend an extended time in a place very close to his family’s heart.

“I’m very grateful to go over there again, just to experience a different culture,” Sabanovic said. “I wouldn’t say they’re less fortunate, but it’s definitely different.

“They don’t have the opportunities I have here. I got to experience that.”

Sabanovic returned to Streamwood about a week before practice started for this season, and he immediately shifted his focus back to playing for the Sabres.

Seeing last year end on an own goal in the sectional semifinals has been eating at Sabanovic ever since.

“I think he took it personally because he knew he had a lot of chances that game and he just missed here and there,” Polovin said. “I think that was a big part of why he wanted to work even harder in the offseason, so those things wouldn’t happen this year.”

Sabanovic had no qualms admitting that was the case.

“We have a young team, but we’re ready to prove why we should not have lost last year,” Sabanovic said. “Unfortunately, it was planned to happen that way, but I’m telling you, it won’t happen this year.”

Senior Alex Alcala, who is one of the best defenders in the state, offered a breakdown on trying to slow down Sabanovic.

“Watch his movements, try to learn what he does with the ball, just feel confident and always expect to get the ball in the end,” Alcala said.

Fortunately for Alcala, he only has to do that in practice. It’s the rest of the state that has to figure out how to slow down Sabanovic in games.

“It’s nice to have him on our side scoring a lot of goals,” Alcala said.

Sabanovic’s intimidating 6-foot-1, 175-pound frame will be tested by every team’s defense.

“It’s going to make life miserable for any team we play,” Polovin said. “He knows how to get away from pressure. He knows he’s going to feel it. He knows he’s probably going to get his ankles whacked.

“He’s also going to score a lot of goals. He’s great in the air. He gives up his body. He wants to do whatever it takes for our team to win.”

Sabanovic knows that means increasing his scoring output from last season.

“I don’t want to jinx myself or anything like that, but I’m trying to double my goals this year,” Sabanovic said. “We’re going for 40-something goals.

“It’s the 10-year anniversary of us going to state. Polovin said this is the year, so we’re going to state.”

Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.

Originally Published: August 23, 2024 at 8:11 p.m.