Any high school coach who has a roster full of experienced players year after year is a very fortunate coach. Most coaches and programs have those experienced teams of upperclassmen followed by seasons of youth when that experience is gained. Such is the case for Mineola High School boys varsity coach Paul Pereira. After a couple of seasons with veteran players, this season coach Pereira will be doing a lot of teaching and coaching.

The 2004 Mustangs' varsity team has only five returning players from last year's squad. Add to that the fact that there are five first-year sophomore players who will start and you get the idea. In talking about the returning players, coach Pereira profiled them:

Michael Skaliotis, Sr., second year on varsity, most experienced member of the team, will provide much needed leadership.

George Costa, Jr., second year on varsity, a good left foot that will fill in on defense after playing midfield last year.

Victor Prado, Sr., second year on varsity, will provide maturity and experience for young team, anchor defense.

Gustavo Dias, Soph., second year, started as freshman, second in goals, provides scoring, fun to watch.

Michael Marques, Soph., second year on varsity, started as freshman, outstanding ball handling skills.

Add to those, one of coach Pereira's hot newcomers, junior midfielder Oswaldo Hernandez, and you've got the lowdown on the players who will be key when watching the Mustangs play. Hernandez, by the way, has tremendous speed and quickness and the coach feels he'll dominate the midfield and set up goals and well as score a few on his own.

The coach goes into the season knowing all of the Mustangs' games will be tough with such a young and inexperienced team as well as a shallow bench. But, says Pereira, "We will look to play competitive soccer and build for the future, which looks promising."

Helping Pereira build for the future are his junior varsity coach Al Cavalluzzo, 8th grade coach Rudi Mbele and 7th grade coach Bill Digenarro.