Mules boys soccer in full motion

The wheels are back in full motion for the Poplar Bluff High School Mules soccer team as they capture their first win of the season.

The Mules recently traveled to Carbondale, IL, to compete in the Boys Soccer Greg Kline Invitational and got a 5-1 victory over Anna-Jonesboro Community High School and tied 1-1 with Murphysboro High School.

Head soccer coach Rusty Crafton is happy that the Mules are off to a good start and hopes to build on this momentum throughout the season. His overall goal for the Mules this season is to play at their own pace.

“I thought we looked good this weekend,” Crafton said. “We had one little mental breakdown during the Murphysboro game, which we should have won, but we played well. I thought we did really well moving and shifting the ball, and that’s going to be key for us this year. I think we’re doing pretty good at possession and not forcing things this year. I think patience is going to be our big thing this season, we’re not going to rush the process.”

Last season, the Mules finished 5-16, but with some key seniors returning, Crafton is confident the Mules can see a lot of success throughout the year.

One key returner for the Mules is senior Blaise Rowland. Rowland will start as a left-wing for the Mules and play a pivotal role in the team’s leadership.

“Blaise will be big for us because he’s definitely a fast wing,” Crafton said. “He’s an aggressive player up top for us and can switch to the backline, so he’s going to be a key player for us. He can do many things, like scoring many goals and moving the ball around, while being a leader on the field.”

Rowland said Crafton has been a good coach for the team. Ever since his freshman year, he’s been given the chance to move up to play a little bit of varsity and credits Crafton for working with him as he prepares for his final season with the Mules.

“As a team, we’ve definitely got better with distributing the ball around the field and switching it,” Rowland said. “I think we’ll be a lot better this year, and I’m looking forward to competing.”

The Mules recently traveled to Carbondale, IL, to compete in the Boys Soccer Greg Kline Invitational and got a 5-1 victory over Anna-Jonesboro Community High School and tied 1-1 with Murphysboro High School. Head soccer coach Rusty Crafton said he is excited for the season. DAR/D�Courtland Christian

Another key returner for the Mules is senior Colten Palma, who plays center mid-field. Crafton said the Mules will also rely on Palma for leadership and his solid skills in the middle of the field. He expects good things from Palma this season.

It’s been an entire school year since Palma stepped onto the field for the Mules, and he could not wait any longer to play as he prepared all summer to enhance his skills.

“I’ve been ready to play,” Palma said. “I have gotten more confident on the ball and with my touches. I’ve become more of a leader with my teammates by getting them to step up and play where they need to be.”

Also returning are Cody Dearborn, Brayan Grimaldo, Kolby Greenwall, Isaiah Nevel, Alec Papanicolaou and Kadin Welsh.

The Mules will play in the Notre Dame Soccerfest, taking on opponents such as Central, Carbondale and St. Francis Borgia.

“The soccer fest is going to be a great test for us,” Crafton said. “I think the team is excited about it, and we will have some pretty good matchups. I would love to go 3-0 against these three good quality teams, so we’re really looking forward to it.”

*Editor’s Note: The Mules fell to Cape Central 2-1 on Thursday night. Blaise Rowland scored the lone Mules goal. Read about it on Semoball.com.