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| Former Tiger realizes a dream |
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| Written by Marc Aceves | Patterson Irrigator | |
| Friday, 14 November 2008 | |
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Two players with Patterson ties sign to take the field for Stockton Cougars It took a little more than three years for Santos Arteaga to go from Patterson High standout to professional soccer player. But it didn’t become a reality until he stepped on the field for practice at Stockton Arena on Oct. 21. The Stockton Cougars of the Professional Arena Soccer League recently announced that the club has agreed to contract terms with Arteaga and one-time Patterson resident Hugo Brambila. “It felt awesome,” Arteaga said. “For me, it was like having your dreams come true.” Arteaga, 20, adds a youthful presence to the Cougars’ goalkeeper unit. He joins 2007 Premier Arena Soccer League Summer Nationals MVP Matt McDougall and 2008 U.S. National Arena Soccer Team goalkeeper Jesus Molina on the Cougars’ depth chart. McDougall — the team’s starting goalie — began the season on injured reserve after offseason knee surgery. McDougall’s recovery period could free up some playing time for Arteaga. “A good goalie needs to practice often to be ready for the shots,” Arteaga said. “If I am called upon to play, I will be ready.” Arteaga resides in Patterson and was born in Modesto. He attended Patterson High from 2002-04 and is the youngest member of the Cougars. Arteaga spent his senior year of high school at Mexico’s Escuela de Futbol Chivas. He most recently played for the Turlock Express, a developmental team for the Cougars. “It’s hard to be a goalie, with all of the pressures that we face,” Arteaga said. “But you begin to build confidence when you make a good save, and you hear the crowd start cheering.” Brambila is one of three forwards on the Cougars’ roster. The 24-year-old once managed the Patterson Health and Fitness Club and spent his college career at California State University, Stanislaus. He also played for the PASL-Premier League Mexican All-Star team in February 2007 and the Stars of Mexico team. Brambila has spent the past two seasons with the Stockton Pumas and Turlock Express. “I’m really hoping that this will open some doors for me in other areas of the sport as well,” Brambila said. “I would love to play outdoors, but right now, the opportunity to build some credibility indoors is presenting itself.” Arena soccer — a faster-paced, offense-driven version of the traditional pastime — is to regular soccer what the Arena Football League is to the NFL. Teams play on a smaller space with fewer players to a side. The ball may bounce off walls, and the traditional offside rule is often eliminated completely. “The United States pretty much invented the indoor soccer game,” said Brambila, who’s optimistic about his squad’s chances this season. “This team should have a great chance of winning it all.” The PASL first established itself as the now defunct Major Indoor Soccer League’s feeder program. Now entering its 11th year, the PASL remains the largest international indoor soccer league in the world.
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