On September 27, Good Counsel Men’s Soccer tied the number one team in the country, Saint Ignatius High School from Cleveland, Ohio, 1–1 in a matchup for the ages. The first half was pretty even, with both teams showing focused defensive mentalities. Each attack had some moments of spark, but they were few and far between. That changed in the second half when Saint Ignatius found an opportunity and converted a close header to finally break the deadlock.
Good Counsel found themselves down 1–0 with two minutes on the clock, needing a big play to change the momentum of the game. Every young soccer player’s dream is to put their team on their back and score a late-minute, game-tying goal against the best team in the nation — and for this Good Counsel soccer star, that dream became reality. Senior captain and Yale-commit Dijon Fosu stepped up and blasted a 35-yard shot into the top corner, leaving the outstretched Saint Ignatius goalie helpless and securing the 1–1 draw.
“I knew my team needed a goal late in the game to tie it up, and I felt good about it in the moment, so why not let it fly,” Fosu said. These types of shots are purely technique, instinct, and adrenaline — a shining moment for players who have a special feel for the game. Goals from outside the box are rare, but a goal from 35 yards is almost unheard of in high school soccer.
Arguably, the most important thing after a goal is the celebration. “I had a couple planned,” Fosu admitted, “but I was overwhelmed in the moment and just ran to celebrate with my boys who came to watch the game.” As soon as it went in, the crowd erupted, and everyone rushed to the corner flag to celebrate with Fosu, showcasing the immense community that the Good Counsel soccer program has.
“It’s definitely a moment I’m not going to forget,” Fosu said. “I’m happy I could help my team get a result because we definitely deserve it with all the effort everyone gave that day.” When asked if fans should expect more moments like this, he responded confidently, “Absolutely.”
According to senior soccer player Jack Laguna, “The reaction to the goal can be described only as the loudest and most excited one I’ve ever seen for a goal in high school soccer.” Team manager Ebube Dumebi-Kachikwu seconded that sentiment: “Saint Ignatius had just taken the lead a few minutes earlier and the team was demoralized. Dijon had this lion-like aura when he called for the ball, and as the bench fell silent, we watched him take the shot — then the entire bench and coaches erupted.”
The Good Counsel soccer program is on the quest for a WCAC Championship, and with the playoffs coming up shortly, Fosu and the rest of the team will have a demanding road to capture the title. The Falcons will play Archbishop Carroll next, then move on to the playoffs where their opponent is currently unknown.
Source:
Segar, David. “Finding Their Range: Where Premier League Teams Are Shooting from in 2024–25.” Opta Analyst, 31 Mar. 2025, theanalyst.com/articles/premier-league-2024-25-shot-data.