Soccer Report

Mullen vs Prospect Ridge Mullen Soccer Complex (MSC): 3601 S Lowell Blvd V@4 (Boots on by 3:15/Warm up @3:40) JV@5:30 Match Preface: We played Prospect Ridge last year in that crazy wild tunnel of a game. The score was 4-0. Some important things to note: one, we had the wind at our back in the first half and managed the game well. Two, we took care of the ball and finished our chances. Three, their goalie was gone.  I imagine they are going to attempt some adjustments tonight. One, their goal keeper should be there, and she is incredibly talented. (More in the strengths section). Two, I would think they are going to try to block and counter. When we played them on the boys side in the fall, they packed everyone in, we threw the kitchen sink, their goalie went off, and the game ended 0-0. If the two coaches talk, I wouldn't be surprised to see a similar strategy. We are going to have to be aware of the counter, and we are going to have to win with the ball tonight. That means we hav...

 Match Report: Mullen vs. Windsor Windsor High School:  1100 W MAIN St, Windsor, CO 80550 JV@5:30 - On the Grass Field V@ 7 - In the Stadium Varsity Team meeting at 3:05 in 303 Arrival @6 Boots on by 6:15. Preface: Windsor is in an interesting place this year. This is their first game of the season and they are coming off spring break, but I imagine they are going to be up for the game, especially since they are playing us at home! They are also going through a bit of an identity shift. They retained a couple of their very talented midfielders, but lost one to injury, and graduated some other key players in both their attack and defense. On an individual level, I think they are going to be very strong. On a team level, I think they are going to be trying to figure some things out. The number one way to combat good individual players is to stay organized, press hard, and take away their time. If we force them to move the ball to one another, they are going to struggle. Tonight ...

 Match Report: Mullen vs. Northfield Northfield High School ( 5500 Central Park Blvd, Denver, CO 80238) JV@4:30 V@6:30 Varsity Team Meeting at 3:00 Varsity Arrival @5:30 Preface: As we have known for the last couple of years, Northfield has an incredibly strong program. They are technical, well structured defensively, and they move the ball around well. For tonight, our organization will be elemental to our success, and we have to stay sharp in our movement and decision making.  On Saturday, Northfield played Evergreen. The final score of the game was 2-1 and from the look of it, Evergreen played in a low block, hunkered down system. This got them through the first half equal (no goals had been scored).  The block was effective for a couple reasons in the first half: 1. Well positioned Evergreen players overtook a number of line breaking pass attempts. 2. Evergreen was disciplined, they did not dive in against the dribble, and they directed the ball to the outside. 3. A c...

Match Report: Mullen vs. CA Colorado Academy ( 3800 S Pierce St, Denver, CO 80235) Arrive - 1:45 Boot on at 2:00 Game time 2:45  Preface: This is CA's first game of the season so we don't know a ton about them. They are lacking a little depth due to travel, but their strong players should be present. Having some games under our belt gives us an advantage, but we can't give anything away for free today! CA strengths: CA's primary strengths reside in their individual talent. They have a couple of girls who are relatively dynamic and who can really play. The players of interest are as follows: 1. The girls who plays the 10 is crafty. She will move into the half spaces between the midfield and the defense. She is fast, and fit, and she will pull the trigger from anywhere. We have to treat her a little like an Ella Moody and just harass her through the middle of the park. We also need to make sure she can't get the ball in open space in the gaps and move forward with it....

 Match Details: Mullen vs. Mountain Range - Five Star Stadium ( 9351 Washington St, Thornton, CO 80229) JV early release at 2:30 Arrival time: 4pm  Game time: 5pm Varsity Team Meeting at 3:05 in 303 Arrival time: 6pm Game time: 7pm (boots on by 6:15) Preface: We don't currently have a ton of details about MR. Their coach is a master of the dark arts, so we don't entirely know what they will be up to. They currently have a small roster without their starting GK or returning leading scorer on it. I am certain there is more to the story than MaxPreps is telling us right now. This is what you can expect. A very defensive team that is happy to waste time and will want to use the elements to their advantage. They are going to seek any way to equalize the playing field. We have to keep our cool, stay patient with the ball and in the attack, hunt down opportunities and strike when the timing is right.  This will be a game that challenges your psychological strength as much as you...