Mineola High School boys varsity soccer coach Paul Pereira is a goal-oriented individual. In the classroom, he pushes his social studies students to achieve goals beyond their expectations. On the soccer field, Pereira pushes his players to score goals and reach beyond their expectations - the playoffs.

The veteran coach welcomes back nine players from last year's Conference B-IV championship team. It's crucial to have that returning nucleus because the Mustangs are stepping up to Conference B-III.

"After having won the program's first conference title in a decade, if the program was going to remain competitive, the team would have to move up to the more challenging conference," explained Pereira.

The coach knows the competition will be much tougher but said, "The reward is that more teams make the playoffs and earn higher seeds."

Being a goal-oriented coach, Pereira has set this squad's goal to make the playoffs for the second straight year and for the fourth time in the last five years.

Here's a look at this year's squad as described by the coach:

Jason Moston (SR) - Returning All-County playmaker with endless energy and quickness.

Fabio De Oliveire (SR) - Returning All-Conference midfielder with ability to score or dish-off an assist.

Peter Marson (SR) - Among the leading scorers last season. Strong, big forward with the knack for the back of the net.

Vito Errico (SR) - Three year starter will anchor the defense.

Helder Mendes (SR) - Leading goal scorer last season, loves to score often.

Matt Shanahan (SR) - Three year starter. If he can remain healthy, he'll be a tremendous asset on defense.

Joao Sousa (SR) - Tenacious defender, tough to beat.

Ramon Valente (SR) - Speedy defender who usually marks the opponent's bets offensive player.

Ben Molina (SR) - Will give goaltending a try. He's replacing the graduated Greg Weiss, a two time All-Conference keeper.

Coach Pereira also has a couple of underclassmen that he's brought up to varsity. He expects strong play from both.

Sophomore George Costa is expected to contribute immediately at midfield. Michael Marques is only the second freshman to make the varsity team in the last seven years. The coach said Marques is skilled beyond his years.

Pereira expects the toughest opponents in a difficult Conference B-III to be New Hyde Park, which had a record of 7-1-2 last year. Mineola faces them in the final game of the regular season.

The coach also pointed out that Carle Place would be tough in a B-III/B-IV crossover game. To make the evening a little more special, the two teams will square off October 3 under the lights at the Town of North Hempstead Park on Denton Avenue.

Coach Pereira has his goals for the coming season. Now, all the Mustangs have to do is score enough goals to reach those goals.

Mineola opened its season by hosting its annual Mustang Cup Tournament on Sept. 5 and 6.