Devin Denman

Barry Faulkner

Devin Denman wants to spend the next four years learning how to

become an architect. In an athletic sense, however, the Costa Mesa

High senior already fits the description, having become the architect

of the defense for the Mustangs’ girls soccer team.

“I’ve wanted to be an architect for as long as I’ve played

soccer,” said the four-year varsity standout, who has spent the last

two seasons as the Mustangs’ sweeper.

Denman, whose play has helped Mesa advance to Saturday’s CIF

Southern Section championship game against Walnut, 5 p.m. at Cal

State Fullerton, acknowledged the same sense for special relations

that applies to architecture, helps her perform her duties on the

soccer field.

“Architecture has to do with geometry and soccer is a game of

angles,” she said.

Mesa Coach Dan Johnston also believes Denman’s dimensional

sensibilities are part of what make her effective as the last line of

defense in front of the goalie.

“I believe soccer is a game of patterns, recognizing patterns and

anticipating them,” Johnston said. “(Denman) sees the patterns on the

field pretty well and she keeps our defense organized.”

Years of experience at the position -- Denman said she has spent

the last six club seasons playing sweeper, though she played other

roles her first two years at Mesa, before filling the void left by

former Mustang sweeper Katie Roche -- have also allowed her to

negotiate the fine line between aggressiveness and caution. It is

this balance that separates strong and decisive defense, from a more

hesitant approach that can escalate opponents’ scoring chances.

“Some people are scared to play sweeper, because they don’t want

to be the last man, besides the goalie,” said Denman, who earned

Daily Pilot Athlete of the Week recognition for helping the Mustangs

defeat Santa Monica, 3-0, in the second round Feb. 25, and Centennial

of Corona, 4-1, in Thursday’s quarterfinals. “You definitely have to

keep that in mind. You have to be really smart about your decision to

dive into any play. You have to know when to go for the ball.”

Denman said making those decisions, as well as anticipating the

flow of opposing team’s runs, is part of what she loves about playing

sweeper.

“I watch the other team and I love to pick up trends, like the way

one girl always passes to one spot,” she said. “I’ve played the

position for so long, (recognition) comes naturally to me. And, when

it comes time to make those (split-second) decisions, I just react

without thinking. It’s like instinct to me, now.”

Johnston said the Mustangs have grown accustomed to Denman having

their collective back.

“She’s quick, very sure-footed, and she plays with her head up,”

Johnston said. “I thought she had an awesome game against Santa

Monica.”

Johnston also believes she is a big part of the transition game

that has helped the Mustangs (22-1-2) outscore opponents, 105-15,

this season.

“When she clears the ball out, she doesn’t just bang it,” Johnston

said. “She usually gets it to one of her teammates, whether that

means kicking a long ball, or just touching it outside to start a

run.”

A co-captain with All-CIF standout Sharon Day, the only other

player to play on all four of the program’s CIF playoff teams (Mesa

had not played in the postseason before the duo’s arrival), Johnston

said Denman’s sense of humor is another of her gifts.

“She’s hilarious,” Johnston said. “She has really been a joy to be

around the last four years. And, both she and Sharon have been a key

part of all our success.”