Minnetonka's Suljic is Metro Player of the Year in boys' soccer

Minnetonka soccer standout Suad Suljic remembers practicing as a kid in defiance of bad weather. Pouring rain sent everyone home except Suljic and his father, Safet, a former semipro soccer player in his native Bosnia.

"We were still out there playing in the mud, getting better and enjoying that time together," Suad Suljic said.

Suljic hasn't stopped improving. An all-state selection as a sophomore, he took his game even higher as a junior this fall. He scored 18 goals and added 13 assists, leading the Skippers to the Class 2A state tournament with an undefeated record.

His efforts earned him Star Tribune boys' soccer Metro Player of the Year honors.

Born in Bosnia, Suljic and his family left war behind and emigrated to the United States. He arrived in Minnesota at age 9 and chose soccer as his sport.

"Ever since I touched a ball with my feet, I don't think I've ever let it go," Suljic said.

Suljic's love for soccer might not be hereditary, but it certainly owes to his heritage. His father was a strong defender. Under his tutelage, the younger Suljic grew into a offensive-minded player feared for superior technical skills and conditioning.

Regarded by metro-area coaches as "the most dangerous player on the field," a "gifted player who can score from anywhere," and "insanely versatile," Suljic anchored the Minnetonka midfield.

"I would say I'm satisfied with what I did, but I was never looking at my stats or anything," Suljic said. "It's not an individual sport; it's always about the result at the end of the game. If I didn't score a goal or get an assist, I didn't really mind. I was just happy to get the wins."

The victories kept coming. The Skippers took a 16-0-2 record into the state tournament before losing on a last-second goal against Anoka in the quarterfinals.

"I'm still in shock," Suljic said last week. "We worked hard as a team and we became a family. That part is what we will take away."

Was the Anoka game Suljic's last at the high school level? Almost 70 players chose the Minnesota Thunder Academy club over their high school team this fall. Suljic acknowledged his options but said the chances of him playing for Minnetonka next season are "pretty good."