We caught up with Priory senior Ryan Mulqueeny on a rare afternoon he wasn’t on the soccer field; the 17-year-old has practice five to six times a week during the high school season. He currently leads his team in goals and points for the year and is hoping to match last year’s success, when he was named First Team Missouri All-State, Priory Player of the Year, and All-League, All-Conference and All-Region First Team.
When did you start playing soccer?
My dad was a big soccer player, so he signed me up for a CYC league when I was around 4 or 5 and coached the team. I have some natural ability from him and just stuck with it because I liked being good at something and loved playing.
Describe your team atmosphere at Priory.
Everyone is really close. I love my high school team because I get to play with the people I see every day. My brother went to Priory, and the coach talked to him about getting me to come here and play, and I’m so glad I did.
Do you have any goals for the season?
We have pretty much the same goal every year, and that’s to go as far as we can in the state tournament. I think this is our best team since I’ve been on varsity, and we have a really good chance of winning state.
What other teams do you play on?
I’m on a St. Louis Scott Gallagher Soccer Club NPL team, and we practice twice a week starting in December. Games and tournaments begin in the spring. We went to Regionals this past summer and lost in the finals, but our coach says this year we have one of the best teams, so hopefully we can win!
Do you want to continue playing in college?
I’d like to, as long as it’s fun—that’s what I want from my last four years of playing soccer, to have a good time.
Photo courtesy of Saint Louis Priory School
