Staff photo by Travis Rosenau New Ulm senior Jackson Ocampo (10) celebrates after scoring on a penalty kick against Tri-City United on Tuesday at New Ulm High School.

NEW ULM — Jackson Ocampo doesn’t lack confidence.

Not anymore, at least.

And as one of the best boys soccer players in the state on one of the best teams in the state, it’s easy to see why he doesn’t.

That wasn’t always the case for the 5-foot-10, 140-pound New Ulm Eagles striker. He’s never doubted his abilities during his time with the Eagles, but now he’s hitting his stride and having even more fun during his senior year, giving his team steady and reliable play every game.

Ocampo helped lead the Eagles to a 12-0 start this year, the best start in program history. That winning streak ended Tuesday with a 2-1 home loss to a tough Tri-City United team, but Ocampo and the Eagles are quickly putting that behind them as they look to start another streak and carry it into playoffs. The ultimate goal will be being getting New Ulm to its first ever boys state soccer tournament.

In 13 games this season, Ocampo has 18 goals and 11 assists, giving him a point total of 47 for the season.

Seeing the kind of success he has had so far this season on an individual and team level has meant a lot to Ocampo as it’s something he’s been working for.

“The attention that I’ve been getting has always been my dream,” Ocampo said. “I’ve worked super hard for it and was gifted with a lot of talent with my family. I was always playing with my brothers in the yard, but it’s just something I’ve worked really hard for.

“Especially as a team being No. 1. We knew were gonna be good when we were young. We were state champions of the under-14 [division] and I guess my age group always talked about when we were seniors, that’s going to be when we’re really gonna shine.”

During New Ulm’s 12-0 start, they defeated TCU on Sept. 4 on the road. New Ulm defeated a host of other strong teams away from home this season also, such as Marshall, Mankato West and Worthington.

The Eagles entered Tuesday’s rematch with TCU as the No. 1 QRF team in Class AA. While they are now ranked second behind St. Cloud Tech following the loss, they quickly worked their way into the top 10 this season with their impressive win streak. TCU is now ranked sixth in the state in Class A.

Ocampo has improved from his junior year, but it didn’t come from just dribbling a ball around in the backyard over the summer. Ocampo has dedicated substantial time and effort to his craft by playing as much competitive soccer as he can, which involves playing with the U-17 Saint Paul Blackhawks, an MLS NEXT club team.

“We play at the highest level of youth soccer in the states,” Ocampo said. “We’ve traveled all around. This year, we were 2025 National champions. We went to Denver for that in early July. We had Regionals in Chicago and Kansas in early June, so a month in between we had time to prepare.

“We weren’t Regional champions, but we did qualify through being first on the league table to go to Nationals. … We go to Europe, too, we do campaigns there and play against professional teams that are there to see where we’re at and also allow players to get scouted.”

The Blackhawks defeated the Illinois Elite Chicago Lightning 2-1 to win the U-17 Boys Gold National Premier League championship on July 14.

The Saint Paul Blackhawks organization has several teams of various age groups, including a semi-professional team. Ocampo has been with the Blackhawks organization since joining the U-14 team.

During the summer, Ocampo stays close to St. Paul by living in St. Louis Park with his older brothers, Brandon and Ryan. The Blackhawks take a break during the fall school season, allowing Ocampo to turn his attention back to the New Ulm Eagles.

Ocampo has continued to work on his handling, control, passing and shooting, just to name a few areas, but he said his biggest improvement from last year is a newfound confidence.

“My confidence level has definitely been [improved],” Ocampo said. “My confidence and my ability to take my player on that’s marking me. I wouldn’t say I used to play super scared, but I always liked to play safe. That’s definitely what developed. I think just the playing experience and the areas I’ve been, I guess I’ve proved myself on many other levels.”

Ocampo has shown he’s not afraid to set up his teammates for shots at the net either, and he’s had plenty of help in the goal scoring department from players like Methodius Amoah, Levi Johnson, Logan Goblirsch and Josh Shaneman.

“When I used to play in New Ulm [in the summer], mostly all of us starting 11 used to play together before I moved,” Ocampo said. “The only one I didn’t play with was Levi Johnson, but I think our bond has developed the last two years that he’s been on varsity. But in that chemistry sense, since young we’ve clicked together.”

Those who have attended Eagles games this fall have come to expect to see some things from Ocampo: showmanship, strong passing, dribbling skills and goals.

Most importantly, though, they expect to see a win for New Ulm.

That’s something the Eagles have done 12 times already this season and with three games on the regular season schedule to spare.

Ocampo said being a part of New Ulm’s historic start has meant everything to him.

“It means everything to be in the history of New Ulm, and the team I have, what a great team and group of guys,” Ocampo said. “A bunch of my best friends are on this team, so it’s all we talked about, too, during the summer. We were so ready for the season, we’d always practice in the summer together, so we came prepared and it shows.”

Ocampo and the Eagles travel to St. Peter for a Big South Conference Black Division game at 7 p.m. Thursday.