Last season didn’t end in a positive way for the Mexico boys soccer program.

Despite the 10-game losing streak to close the season, the Bulldogs are going into this season with confidence and with a focus of not being timid.

Head coach Bill Gleeson said this applies to the offensive approach the team wants this season as it looks to bounce back from a six-win campaign.

“If we can go in and take the shots that we need to take, we’ll be strong,” Gleeson said. “A lot of the time, we are timid and then we think, ‘Oh, I can get a better shot’ and we’re reluctant to take open shots that we have until it’s too late.”

About half of the 32 coming out for Mexico this season will be underclassmen so the Bulldogs will carry quite a bit of inexperience. Still, Gleeson said his team can have more success if they regularly take the shots that are available.

Mexico has many goals coming back like eight from Gage Walker and six from Jesus Garcia. Gleeson said Garcia’s fellow summer Wolfpack Academy teammate Alex Rodriguez can be a good scorer as well. Kalvin Smith is a junior who can make an offensive impact, Gleeson said, along with some freshmen who can earn varsity roles this year like Alex Matuz and Angel Muralles.

“(Gage Walker) has really come along,” Gleeson said. “I look to him to be the top scorer this year on the team. He’s probably going to play in that forward spot a lot.

“(Jesus Garcia) is probably going to be playing on a wing. He’s got a good cross and gets those balls in there or takes shots as well.”

Marcos Matuz is one of a couple seniors Gleeson sees as key for the younger defensive unit this season for his leadership, and Ryan Dingledine expects to have a slightly different role due to a change in formation. Gleeson said Mexico will be implementing a “sweeper” defense this season.

The sweeper defense has been used by the Bulldogs to some success in scrimmages this summer. Gleeson said he sees the defense as a good fit of the team this year partly because of the speed of Dingledine and sophomore Titus Grubb will be in the back of the defense.

“We did a little bit of that last year, but we’re really going to hit it heavy this year,” Gleeson said. “The sweeper is the last person in defense before the goalie, and his job is to sweep up anything that gets past the defensive line.”

If the ball gets past the sweeper, junior Grant Walker is ready to step into the goalkeeper role left by the graduated all-conference Emille Scanavino. Walker was a defender last year, but Gleeson said he has already shown promise in the net.

“He might even rival Emille,” Gleeson said. “He made some pretty crazy saves in practice.”

Hannibal and Marshall still expect to be tough in the North Central Missouri Conference this season in Gleeson’s estimation, but he believes his team can fare well in conference play. The Bulldogs have had a rough go through the NCMC as they didn’t win a single conference game a season ago and haven’t won a matchup since a 3-2 victory over Moberly in October 2022 via penalty kicks.

“We have a really strong chance of doing well in conference,” Gleeson said. “Fulton has always been a powerhouse, but they’ve lost a lot of their key players. They’re going to be down a little bit. If we take our shots and lock down our defense, we can honestly hang with any team this year.”