That target on the back is not an unknown concept to Streamwood’s AJ Sabanovic.
The junior forward is well aware of the fact he has turned into a known commodity.
“I’ve noticed there are a lot of guys knowing my name, knowing ‘Who’s that No. 9?'” Sabanovic said. “I always try to stay positive, not get into my head. Be humble, of course.
“I just have to keep working.”
Sabanovic went to work Tuesday night, breaking a 1-1 tie with his seventh goal of the season as the Sabres eked out a 4-3 Upstate Eight Conference victory over Larkin.
After erasing the deadlock, Sabanovic dished off to Jairo Sanchez for his second goal of game for Streamwood (5-2, 1-0). Sergio Barrera scored with 29:10 left in the second half to push the lead to 4-1.
Larkin (6-2, 1-1) led 1-0 on Reyli Perez’s goal. That was assisted by Adrian Diaz, who also converted a penalty kick. Jonathan Garcia added a goal as the Royals staged a late comeback that came up just short in the final seconds.
Streamwood coach Matt Polovin doesn’t mind that Sabanovic is receiving extra attention this season. It brings multiple defenders his way, but when he gets his opportunities, he still finds a way to strike.
“That’s fine,” Polovin said. “Let them do that. That’s going to open up players on the team that he’ll find. He knows he can do very well at a high level. That’s where he comes from.
“He’s trained so hard to get to where he is right now.”
Indeed, Sabanovic gave the Sabres the lead for good via his goal with 5:30 left in the first half. Alex Bernal played a through-ball pass. Sabanovic remained onside, sprinted in and scored the go-ahead goal.
“How I learned it, when you’re on the left side, you want to see it the opposite way because the goalie is going first post,” Sabanovic said. “I shot it to the right side because the goalie was going to the left, and it just went in.
“I was pretty happy with that.”
Sabanovic is a prolific goal scorer, but he confirmed that assists are not his usual forte. That was not the case when he fed Sanchez for a goal.
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“I kind of consider myself a poacher in the back,” Sabanovic said. “You really don’t see me getting assists. Of course, I love to contribute.
“I always try to get myself on the ball more — try to build off that with me and everyone. It was nice getting the first assist.”
Larkin is in the throes of a brutal stretch, playing its fifth game in seven days. The Royals are also dealing with injuries, being down four starters Tuesday.
With Diaz on the field, however, Larkin coach Michael Huizer never feels out of it.
“That guy wants to win more than anybody, more than a lot of kids I’ve coached,” Huizer said. “He’s hungry. You see him up there pushing.”
Polovin brought in substitutes late but was forced to bring starters back in to stop the Royals’ furious rally.
“When you have a nice lead, you have to protect it and see the game out,” Polovin said. “I was happy with the way we played overall. I’ll take a win any time.
“I just wish it were a little bit cleaner in the last few minutes.”
Polovin was happy to see Sabanovic add to his scoring total, knowing the best is yet to come.
“He’s only a junior,” Polovin said. “He has a lot of time to become even better, stronger and scarier out there.”
Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.