The equation couldn’t have been any simpler for the Patterson High boys soccer team as it headed into its regular-season finale: win the game and win the Western Athletic Conference.

A victory over the Hilmar Yellowjackets on Tuesday, Nov. 3, would guarantee the Tigers the top seeding in the WAC and home-field advantage in the playoffs. Results from Tuesday’s game were not available at press time.

“It’s always nice to have your fate in your own hands, to where we just take care of business and we don’t have to look elsewhere,” Patterson coach Greg Hartsell said. “For us, that’s a positive thing, and we want to put ourselves in a position to do that.”

To prepare for its showdown with Hilmar, Patterson rolled to a pair of victories last week, defeating host Gustine 4-0 on Oct. 27 before upending visiting Livingston 2-0 on Oct. 29.

The Tigers (12-1-1 WAC, 17-5-3 overall) are in the midst of a nine-game unbeaten streak. They have outscored opponents 43-6 during that stretch.

“We’ve worked very hard to get to this point, so there is some satisfaction in that,” Hartsell said. “Now that we’re here, we want to keep it going.”

Patterson got a pair of goals from resurgent forward Rodrigo Aldana and a goal apiece from Danny Virgen and Heriberto Hernandez in the victory over Gustine. Gustavo Molina added two assists.

Molina and Polo Rangel each scored goals in the Tigers’ triumph over Livingston. Both shutout wins went to goalkeeper Luis Torres, giving him 10 on the season.

“I think we’re always confident in what we’re able to do, but I don’t think anyone takes anything for granted,” Cesar Molina said. “We’re also not happy with just making playoffs. There’s one more game (in the regular season), and we want to win it.”

Both Patterson and Hilmar (12-2-0, 15-5-5 overall) are already assured playoff berths.

Two teams — Central Catholic and Gustine — have been eliminated from playoff consideration. Livingston and Orestimba are vying for the WAC’s final postseason spot.

Hartsell said this is where the Tigers wanted to be all along.

“We try to put ourselves in position all year to be in the playoffs, and now we control our own destiny,” Hartsell said.

The Tigers are less worried about the Yellowjackets, however, than about themselves — and, specifically, what they must do to win. Hartsell said the task is clear.

“We just have to win our final game,” he said. “Our goal is to win, and that doesn’t change regardless of who our opponent is. That’s always our No. 1 goal.”

Aldana echoed those sentiments.

“We have only one job, and that’s to beat Hilmar,” he said. “We do that, it will put us in a good spot. We’ll do what we can.”

• Contact Marc Aceves at 892-6187 or marc@pattersonirrigator.com.