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| Patterson High soccer on a tear |
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| Written by Mike Vanden Bosch / Patterson Irrigator | |
| Saturday, 22 September 2007 | |
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“I was pleased with the way we went through the Mustang Classic. We’re just playing really tough. We faced some good Division I teams like Tokay and Center. ... I thought we played incredible.” — Greg Hartsell Patterson High soccer coach Since dropping its first two games at the season opening-Spartan Classic in Modesto in late August, the Patterson High boys soccer team has rebounded in unprecedented ways. With a 24-man roster that features depth at every position, and with four out of top five scorers back from last year’s 19-win season, it’s no wonder the Tigers have reeled off 11 straight wins and outscored opponents 50-7 since the opening weekend. “I knew we had a talented team,” Patterson coach Greg Hartsell said. “They’re playing so above where I thought they were going to be at this point in the season.” The Tigers showed no signs of slowing down this past week with an undefeated record at the two-day Mustang Classic on Sept. 14 and 15 in Sacramento, followed by yet another league shutout. At the Mustang Classic, Patterson defeated Colfax 6-1, topped McClatchy of Sacramento 2-1, edged Center of Sacramento 2-1, and finished off the tournament with a 3-0 shutout of Tokay. “I was pleased with the way we went through the Mustang Classic,” Hartsell said. “We’re just playing really tough. We faced some good Division I teams like Tokay and Center. Those are both quality teams. I thought we played incredible.” Patterson actually spotted 1-0 leads to Colfax and Center before vigorously fighting to regain the lead. “I just told the kids that we really needed to make this tournament a measuring stick to see how well we could compete,” Hartsell said. “This is one of the bigger tournaments in the section.” Patterson came within one point, or the equivalent of one goal, of reaching the championship game. Instead, its 3-0 shutout of Tokay gave Patterson, the only Division V program at the tournament, third place. “We won those games pretty handily,” Hartsell said. “We gave Center and Tokay their second losses of the season. It just shows that these guys refuse to lose. It’s the whole team. Even though we played some really tough opponents, they won’t give up.” It further bolstered a program in its third year under Hartsell, and gave one section program a lesson in geography about an up-and-coming program. “The Colfax coach came up to me at the tournament and asked me, ‘Are you guys from Sacramento?’” said Hartsell, who has 53 wins midway through his third season as coach. Fresh off the undefeated tournament, Patterson made quick work of Gustine in an 8-0 victory Monday on the road. Sophomore Rodrigo Aldana led the way with three goals, followed by two scores apiece from Nelson Rangel and Sergio Hinojosa. “Rodrigo was a starter last year as a freshman,” Hartsell said. “He and Sergio up front (at forward) are just a lethal combination. I knew last year that Rodrigo was good. He really improved himself this year. He keeps getting better.” Hinojosa, a senior and one of two team captains, leads Patterson with 15 goals, followed by Aldana with 11. Both are among the top three scorers in league, Hartsell said. Patterson was slated to play its toughest league rival, Livingston, at home Wednesday evening. However, Patterson’s lockdown forced the cancellation of the contest. Patterson and Livingston tied three times during the 2006 regular season, but the Wolves eliminated the Tigers from the playoffs in a 4-0 semifinal shutout. “We were really excited and pumped up for it,” Hartsell said. “Everyone was disappointed. Livingston just handed it to us in the playoffs. Just about everyone is back from that team. I think our guys really want to avenge that loss.” Patterson (11-2 overall, 3-0 WAC) hosts Hilmar at 7 p.m. Monday. The Yellowjackets beat Livingston 2-1 in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division V title game a year ago. To reach Play Editor Mike Vanden Bosch at the Irrigator, call 892-6187 or e-mail him at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
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