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• WHAT: Patterson High boys soccer vs. Ripon, Sac-Joaquin Section Division V playoffs.

• WHEN: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10.

• WHERE: Patterson Community Stadium, Ward and Salado avenues.

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The Patterson High boys soccer team wrapped up a second straight Western Athletic Conference championship with a 1-1 tie against the Hilmar Yellowjackets on Tuesday, Nov. 3, at Patterson Community Stadium.

Although the final goal — a section title — is yet to come, Tuesday’s win was an important step for the Tigers in reaching their target.

“This is why these guys play soccer,” Patterson coach Greg Hartsell said. “I think that the team was pretty confident (against Hilmar). But there were some nerves heading into the game.

“If you’re not nervous going into a game like that, you probably shouldn’t be playing.”

Rodrigo Aldana scored for Patterson, who fended off Hilmar on the last day of the regular season for the top spot in the WAC. The Tigers (17-5-4 overall, 12-1-2 WAC) held onto the slim one-point advantage they held in the standings over the Yellowjackets (15-5-6, 12-2-1) heading into Tuesday’s clash.

Still, a playoff spot is just one of many goals the Tigers’ hope to realize.

Hartsell said home-field advantage against Ripon (21-5-1), the Trans Valley League’s No. 3 seed, was another important accomplishment. The two teams square off in the first round of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division V playoffs on Tuesday, Nov. 10.

“I’ve tried to follow the TVL and the (Mother Lode League) pretty closely throughout the season,” Hartsell said. “Ripon was right there challenging for the TVL title up until the last two games of the season.

“They’re a solid team. They are high-powered offensively. By no means is this going to be a walk in the park.”

Hilmar scored the first goal on Tuesday, when a free kick from the left flank found Jordan Bettancourt in front of the Patterson goal. He buried the shot for the 1-0 advantage.

But the Tigers quickly responded. Cesar Molina sent a pass to the front of the goal and Aldana booted the ball past Hilmar goalkeeper Eduardo Madrigal for the equalizer.

Patterson enters the postseason riding a 10-game unbeaten streak. Ripon, meanwhile, dropped its regular season finale to Escalon, 4-2. The Indians are 2-2-1 in their last five games.

“I don’t want any (of the players) asking me who we could possibly face in the second round (of the playoffs),” Hartsell said. “We want to concentrate on Ripon and take care of them.

“We can’t think about anything else.”