Defending champ awaits

In a season of struggle, an awful lot finally went right recently for Mullen girls soccer.

For one thing, the Mustangs probably had their best outing of the season on Friday, when they beat visiting Air Academy 1-0. Mullen forced the issue, defended and got after it all match.

For another, and with a fair amount of its starters missing the game because of prom, Mullen gutted out a scoreless tie at Conifer on Saturday that solidified its No. 29 spot in the 32-team Class 4A playoff bracket.

Add in the facts that 5A Grandview – the Mustangs compete in the Centennial League with the Wolves -- won in overtime to stay undefeated; Vail Mountain downed Battle Mountain; Centaurus and Steamboat Springs tied; and Mustangs head coach Matthew Giuglielmo was able to land the Conifer match in nonleague late, and the summary is a first-round matchup with Jefferson County’s D’Evelyn, the defending state champion, on Wednesday, 7 p.m., at Lakewood Memorial Field.

“(Saturday) was colossal for us,” the coach said. “All of those things happening and without that (Conifer) game, we’re (No.) 30 and probably get bumped because of the three automatics (league champions that weren’t within the top 32 RPI).”

Plus, he added, “there’s something to be said for playing a tough schedule.”

Now 5-6-4, Mullen enters the postseason with just five seniors as well as an even split in goals for and against this season – 25-25.

“I’m really happy,” Guglielmo said. “We started out OK, then up, down, up, down, then we finished strong. That shows you we’re tough. I need a whole team to step up and play.”

A Mustangs roster, headed by captain Anna Brehm, is led in scoring by Kaitlin Konkel, a senior, and freshman Anna Seaman. Both have a modest four goals. And it’s balanced – 12 Mustangs have reached the back of the net.

In goal, sophomore Emma Ryan and senior Kaitlyn Harry have split time just about evenly.

As for D’Evelyn (9-4-2), it finished the regular season tied for third in 4A Jefferson County. Scoring has been a problem for both the Jaguars and their foes – they own a 19-17 composite edge in goals. In fact, the Jags have been involved in only three matches in which more than four goals have been scored. Freshman Lauren Cooks tops the team with five goals.

“We’re not afraid of anyone,” Guglielmo said. “When we walk out on the field, it’s probably the benefit of playing in our league. Some know D’Evelyn won (the past season); some don’t. But they know they’re a good team.

“If we play, we get a ‘W.’”