Buffalo's Joe Musselman Wins Gatorade Boys Soccer Honor

Buffalo High School senior Joe Musselman has been named the 2019-20 Gatorade Wyoming Boys Soccer Player of the Year.

The Gatorade Company announced the award on Monday. The company stated on April 30, 2020, that despite cancellations across the country due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they would still honor winners in spring sports.

Musselman finished his career with 12 goals and 14 assists for the Bison. He was a First Team All-State and All-Conference selection, plus was chosen the 3A Underclassman of the Year as a junior. Musselman scored five goals and had seven assists, which helped Buffalo to a third-place finish at the Class 3A state championships in 2019 and an 11-7-1 overall record.

He has served as a mentor for young students and volunteered on behalf of Meals on Wheels, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and a youth basketball camp, according to the release from the Gatorade Company. Musselman had a 4.08 GPA and plans to attend the University of Wyoming.

“Joe has always been small of stature, but not of heart or ability,” said Buffalo High School coach Dick Edgcomb in the Gatorade Company release. “His creativity on the field is what stands out most. His one-on-one moves, ball control, and spins are a delight to watch, and his hustle is astounding; he doesn’t appear to tire.”

Musselman joins Isaac Howell of Thunder Basin (2018-19), Patrick Marchal from Green River (2017-18), Ross Elliott of Cheyenne Central (2016-17), and Cameron Campbell from Laramie (2015-16), as recent winners of this honor.

The award recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field. It distinguishes Musselman as Wyoming’s best high school boys’ soccer player. He is the second winner from Buffalo High School. The first was Kasey Esponda in 2010-11. Musselman is a finalist of the Gatorade National Boys Soccer Player of the Year award, which will be revealed later in June.

For more information on the Gatorade Player of the Year honor or past winners, visit http://playeroftheyear.gatorade.com/winner/state on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GatoradePOY or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Gatorade.