Patterson led on two improbable, long-range goals at halftime and got another excellent effort from its defense to hold off visiting Poly, 3-1, for the city boys' soccer title yesterday.
The game was Patterson's second win in three tries this fall against the Engineers.
The Clippers (10-0-1) took their 2-0 lead on conversation-makingscores by defender Shane Howard and top scorer Gillermo Pineda (24 goals, six assists).
Howard's goal was extraordinary -- a 75-yard long direct free-kick from deep in his own half that bounced once inside the penalty box and into the net over back-pedaling Poly goalkeeper Keith Monath. Pineda's goal covered 45 yards, another misjudgment by Monath, who had nine saves.
Howard, who has the team's strongest foot, scored with 27 minutes left in the half and sounded apologetic afterward.
"I tried to just chip it into the middle, but it took a bad bounce," said Howard, whose team battled Poly to a scoreless tie two weeks ago. "I almost feel like I can't take credit for it."
Monath got a hand on Pineda's bomb, which he sent goalward "after I didn't see any of my guys up there, and the goalie [was] out of position." It went in with 14 minutes to go in the half.
"He's such a natural finisher. He just took his time and lined it up," said Patterson coach Derek Maki of Pineda, who scored again, on a penalty kick, with four minutes left in the game.
Poly's Jason Cox made it 2-1 midway through the second half, converting a left-footer from the doorstep off a defensive mistake by the Clippers. But the Engineers (7-4-1) offense was less effective with top scorer Nick Dorr (12 goals, five assists) missing his sixth game with a leg injury.
"With Nick, we'd have gotten off a lot more shots, probably been able to tie the game," said Cox. s"We tried to finesse, but had a hard time without him."
Howard also was part of a defense, with Devin Shayne, Alex Dosis and George Theofanidis, that limited the Engineers to five shots on goal. Clippers keeper Josh Sullivan had four saves.
The Clippers out-shot the Engineers, 13-0, in the first half (16-5 overall). Theofanidis hit the post once, and Howard's freshman brother, Tim, had a point-blank header snagged by Monath.
"We laid back a little after leading early, and Poly came back hard," said midfielder Damian Krzezminski. "But you've got to give it up for our defense. When we play like this, we have a chance against anyone."
Pub Date: 10/24/96
