Mullins heading to Maryland

If he has half the success at Maryland of his Louisiana predecessor Jason Garey, Patrick Mullins will be a very popular player for Sasho Cirovski’s Terrapins.

Mullins is showing every sing of forging his own legacy however, and a recent breakout weekend at the Region III ODP Championships punctuates that truth.

Mullins, playing for Louisiana in the 1992 age group final against North Carolina, scored a hattrick in a losing cause, as his side lost on penalty kicks after a 3-3 draw through overtime. In all, the penalty box predator scored seven times in three matches, continuing a rich vein of from that rather clearly attracted Cirovski to the Lafreneire SC standout.

“In the past couple of years I’ve tried to refine my skills, work on my weaker foot more and work on my aggressiveness, plus a little bit of fitness,” Mullins said. “I can have a killer finishing touch in the box. I like to try to beat players 1v1. I like to think I can do a little bit of everything.”

Mullins thanked Baton Rough Soccer Association executive director with helping alert Cirovski to his talents. Once the recruiting process began in earnest, Mullins found the choice to be rather easy.

“I talked with Sasho mostly,” he said. “I liked the school in general, but I can’t wait to be in that type of environment each day.”

Mullins, who scored 14 goals in the fall Region III Premier League season, is an advocate for Louisiana soccer, and tries to downplay whatever disadvantage might stem from playing in a lesser-known soccer area.

“I would say it’s a challenge, but not as much as you might think,” he said. “’we definitely have quality players here, but it’s true that other places might get you more competition every day. Maybe you have to work a lot more on your own to get at a level to play with the highest players in the country.”

Mullins was able to do that in August at a minicamp organized for potential invitees to the U17 MNT Residency program in Bradenton, FL.

“To play at that level for four days was absolutely amazing,” he said. “I wish I could have made the roster, but I still hope to stay involved with that. That’s my top goal and what I work for every day.”

Mullins was invited to the camp after being spotted playing in Spain with the Region III team by U.S. Soccer National Staff Coach, Juan Carlos Mecia. Other members of the Region III ’92 squad include Joel Nash, Michael Attal, Brian Vasquez, Nolan McKeever and Chris Locandro.

Mullins’ mother Leslie said Patrick first got interested in the game because his older brother was involved and he wanted to tag along.

“His brother wasn’t going to give Patrick an inch, so he had to either figure out a way to survive and keep up or not play at all,” she said. “He played up for years. He’s a pretty focused, determined person. He sets his mind on things and goes after them. He wants to go out and seize the moment.”

Mullins club coach Juan Plannels described him as “a personality player.”

“He strives for excellence. He’s a leader, but he’s humble too. He’s always encouraging his teammates. He’s hungry for goals and success. He gets it. He understands what it’s about.”