Summer is over. It's time to change your schedule from trips to the village pool and head for the high school games. Amazing how fast the summer went by. But, Mineola High School soccer coach Paul Pereira welcomes back what he hopes is another playoff team.

Pereira and junior varsity coach Al Cavalluzzo will be battling through stiffer competition this year. Coach Pereira characterized the Mustangs as "an extremely talented and skilled and still very young team we hope will improve on a surprising 8-2-2 league record as we compete against some of the powerhouses of Nassau County soccer now in Conference ABC-II.

Last year, Mineola placed second in Conference ABC-IV. But now, in the new conference, the stakes are higher and the rewards are sweeter. Pereira said the team hopes to make the playoffs and make an impact.

Five of the seven teams in the conference make the playoffs and the Mustangs have been in the postseason four of the last six years.

Mineola will face Westbury, Great Neck North, Valley Steam South, Hewlett, Roslyn and Glen Cove in Conference ABC-II. Pereira believes there are no easy games in this league.

The coach discussed the players on his squad this season:

Michael Marques - Jr., Returning All-County midfielder, three-year varsity starter, all around talent and threat. Scored 18 goals as a sophomore.

Gustavo Dias - Jr., Returning honorable mention All-County, three-year starting forward, extremely skilled, scored 24 goals in three years.

Oswaldo Herandez - Sr., All-Conference in 2004, will anchor midfield and distribute the ball, excellent speed, skills and conditioning.

George Costa - Sr., All-Conference defender in 2004, very competitive and skilled defender, very tough to beat.

Lucas Natal - Jr., Solid defender, very tough to beat, will help to keep up Mineola's stingy defense.

Nick Tonini - Sr., Will likely see a lot more time on defense, all-around athlete with winning and never quit attitude.

Shawn Wachter - Soph., Saw significant playing time as a freshman, will likely see more as a midfielder.

Raoney Mello - Soph., A forward who scored two goals as a freshman, will be asked to help on defense this year, bright future.

Claudio DeMatos - Jr., second-year goalkeeper with more experience and more determination.

Aniello Palumbo - Sr., Will be asked to help as all around utility player to plug holes where needed, team player.

Felipe Rodrigues - Sr., Team player, will see some time as a forward and midfielder.

Bruno Rodrigues - Jr., Talented lefty who will see a lot of time as left midfielder and forward.

Tiago Barbosa - Sr., Will make transition from field player to back-up goalie.

Nuno Rodrigues - Freshman, hot newcomer, a natural soccer player developed well beyond his years, will make an immediate impact as a forward, future is bright.

It should be an enjoyable season of watching the Mineola varsity soccer team battle its way to the postseason.