'Stangs roll Overland, Skyline is next

It was a match they had to have and they got it.

Mullen’s 9-2 home whipping of Overland on Tuesday in Centennial League boys soccer was vital in multiple regards.

For one, it was large in the league standings. The Class 4A Mustangs (8-6 overall, 2-5 in league) needed another victory against a 5A team. They began league play by losing their first five games.

For another, the Mustangs needed a victory to help solidify their place in the 32-team bracket that will be released on Sunday.

For another, they could use it from a mental standpoint. And matching their season high in goals can only help.

“It was a huge confidence boost for us,” Mustangs senior Patrick Rooney said. “Smoky (Hill) was a close game (Mullen won 3-2 in double overtime in its most-recent outing) and we know we’re a better team and we know we can compete at the 4A level. It was just a good, strong win going into the playoffs.”

Said Mullen head coach Matthew Guglielmo: “Yeah, I mean, two wins in a row against league opponents … we knew going in we were going to take some lumps and we did. But it was important to get the two wins.”

The Mustangs had started the season 6-1 before getting punished five times by a combined 14-4, including being dominated as well as blowing leads.

“It’s hard getting out of that rut,” Rooney said.

But they have climbed out, at least for the moment, through offense. Rooney scored three times and had an assist, and six other Mustangs found the back of the net, much to the delight of Guglielmo. Mullen led 5-2 at half, answered whenever it had to and kept control.

Next up is a road game in Longmont on Friday against Skyline, which began the week No. 8 in RPI qualifying. Mullen was No. 31.

“It would be nice to show our skills to a top team and compete with it,” Rooney said.