Fall '19 preview: Mustangs ready to take the pitch

By Neil H. Devlin, Mullen Sports Information Director
Minus 8 seniors, but Mullen should reload nicely.
(Third in a series of fall previews for 2019).

And now for something completely different … literally.

So says Matthew Guglielmo, head coach of Mullen boys soccer.

Heading into his ninth year in command on the pitch, Guglielmo said “we’re a very different team than last year’s. We had eight seniors and four were vital. But I think we have a very technical team.”

Leading that aspect of the Mustangs are seniors and captains Kyle Cooper, a midfielder, and Luke Elges, a defensive center-mid.

Others at the front of the parade include: A.J. Gamueda, junior, center-forward; Cole Dempsey, junior, midfielder; and Patrick Keeley, junior, defense.
In addition, Guglielmo said he has a goalie competition happening, freshmen will be bidding for key minutes and a handful of junior-varsity players are expected to earn their turns.

About 60 players registered for the program, the coach said, and “we should have some depth.”

Once again, the Class 4A Mustangs will compete in the 5A-based Centennial League before heading into the midrange for the postseason.

“The league looks a lot like the way it looks every year,” the coach said in pointing to the high quality of play. “The four on top, Grandview, Arapahoe, Cherry Creek and Cherokee Trail, the last few years have been very good. The rest of us (the Mustangs, Eaglecrest, Overland and Smoky Hill) have to fight it out.”

As for heading into 4A for the postseason, Guglielmo said “it seems like there are always teams that show they can play … Denver North, teams in Colorado Springs, Jefferson County teams … 4A is tough, different than 5A, but it’s very competitive. It’s really good soccer.”

The Mustangs will open with a home match against Elizabeth, 4:30 p.m., on Friday, Aug. 23. Their first league match will be 4:30 p.m., home vs. Cherry Creek on Wednesday, Sept. 25.

First-round playoffs will be Oct. 30 and the Colorado title match is slated for Nov. 16.
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