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American Fork • American Fork has secured no worse than second place in Region 4 with one regular-season match remaining, which means a game at home to start the playoffs and better placement in the postseason bracket.

Junior captain Nathan Mumford is a key component in the Cavemen boys' soccer team's success. Not only is he the team's leading scorer with 12 goals, but he's also a fierce defender and a leader both on and off the field.

Although they are teammates now, senior and fellow captain Cameron Jolley played against him on a rival club team for years growing up.

"He is so fast and super good with the ball and so strong," Jolley said. "You think you have him covered and marked well, and then he comes out of nowhere and beats you. He's a super part of any team he's on."

Both captains are known for their competitive natures.

"When we were opponents, we battled. Together, we fight for our team," Jolley said, adding that he much prefers playing with Mumford rather than trying to oppose him.

"Nate is pretty special," he said. "It's so amazing the difference he makes on and off the field.

"In practices and games, he's always so positive. He lifts everybody up and encourages them to play and improve. He helps keep everybody focused on the task at hand."

Mumford also has been a key part in organizing dinners and extracurricular activities, which have helped build the chemistry that's helped boslter the team this season.

"He always goes the extra mile," Jolley said. "Everybody knows he's going to give it his all no matter what the situation may be, and that makes everyone want to try harder."

American Fork coach Casey Waldron seconded Jolley's assessments, adding, "His teammates see him scoring goals and setting up others and how hard he works as a defender. He's always performing at a high level, and people respect that."

Waldron said Mumford is naturally a center back, but he's played mostly as a wing midfielder to take advantage of his talents and versatility and because the team had so many skilled defenders this season.

"He's a very difficult player for other teams to prepare for," the coach said. "He can play up top or on the wing, and he presents problems with his speed and strength no matter where he is on the field."

Waldron said his competitive nature has found expression in other areas, too.

"He's a 4.0 student," the coach said. "You can tell a lot about a person by how they are elsewhere, and he's a well-organized kid at home and in school."

Mumford also is a dual-sport athlete in the same season. He runs the 100, 200 and 400 relay for the Cavemen track team. He's qualified for the state meet in at least two events and is trying to wrap up a third qualifying spot this week.

"Seeing the finish line helps him as well," Waldron said. "He's one of the top sprinters in the state and set a lot of age-group records in junior high. But he hasn't missed a practice or game due to track conflicts since soccer is where his heart is."

Mumford agreed that soccer is his priority. He started playing at age 4 in California. His family moved to Utah when he was about 7, and he scored so many goals in recreation soccer that his father decided he needed a bigger challenge. He has traveled widely with his club teams and played in all sorts of places.

"Competing in all those different events gave me a lot of valuable experience on and off the field and helped me develop the skills to play at the highest level," Mumford said. —

Nathan Mumford

School • American Fork

Year • Junior

Position • Wing midfielder, center back

Goals • 12

Class 5A state tournament

Dates • May 16 to 25

Title game • 4:30 p.m. May 25 at Rio Tinto Stadium

Defending champion • Viewmont

Class 4A state tournament

Dates • May 17 to 25

Title game • 7 p.m. May 25 at Rio Tinto Stadium

Defending champion • Maple Mountain

Class 3A state tournament

Friday's semifinals

at Alta High School

4 p.m. • Snow Canyon vs. Ridgeline

6:15 p.m. • Logan vs. Juan Diego

Saturday

at Rio Tinto Stadium

1:45 p.m. • Title game

Class 2A state tournament

Friday's semifinals

at Juan Diego High School

4 p.m. • Millard vs. Layton Christian

6:15 p.m. • American Leadership vs. South Summit

Saturday

at Rio Tinto Stadium

11 a.m. • Title game