Bangs caps historic Huskies career
Owatonna striker Benny Bangs fights for the ball as he splits two Lakeville North defenders. Bangs final season as a Husky ended with his team recording a program-best record of 14-4-1 as well as the senior breaking the Owatonna all-time scoring record. Staff photo by Johnnie Phillips
-Benny Bangs, Huskies Leading Scorer
Striker Benny Bangs’ career as a Husky came to a close this past week after Owatonna’s 2-1 overtime loss to Rochester Mayo, but the weight of his accomplishments as a member of the program far outweighs the result of a singular game.
Bangs has been Owatonna’s go-to goal scorer and a centerpiece for the Huskies’ offense for three years now, breaking program records and captivating Huskies fans along the way.
“He’s just that good. He has to be one of the top four or five strikers in the state. It’s one thing to have size, speed or power, but when you have the complete package… he’s special,” said Owatonna Coach Bob Waypa.
Most recently, Bangs became Owatonna’s all-time leading scorer with a four-goal performance against Red Wing in early October.
Bangs was also the lone scorer in Owatonna’s championship game against the Spartans, and increased his goal total to 16 on the season; good for the best scoring year of his career.
“I put in a lot of work in the offseason and just out with my friends working on our game. It’s nice to see that after all those hours and the time spent out there that it’s all paying off,” said Bangs.
A natural scorer who credits his ability to compete for balls in the open field and knack for the net, Bangs won’t be finished lighting up opposing nets this year as well.
Despite not currently having any plans to play soccer in college, Bangs will keep dawning his Owatonna royal blue and silver as a member of the boys hockey team this winter.
“I’ve always loved soccer, but my first sport was hockey. I think I was about 3 years old when I first put on skates. I’m excited as we head into winter to get back out on the ice as well.”