Pat-Med Boys Soccer Off to a Red-Hot Start

The Patchogue-Medford boys soccer team is off to a red-hot start, and the Raiders already have some big things in their sights.

Led by seniors Jeremy Galvez and Jonathan Velasquez, Pat-Med has opened the season with an impressive 4-1 record. But it is not just the record that has caught attention — it is the way the Raiders have gotten there.

Through their first five games, Pat-Med has scored 17 goals while allowing just two. Even more impressive, the Raiders have already recorded four shutouts.

That kind of defensive effort can make life very difficult for opposing teams.

Jonathan Velasquez Salas leads the team offensively with six points, while CJ Cowell, Bora Ersoz and Alexis Gomez Hernandez have each contributed four points.

Salas has also been finding the back of the net at an impressive rate. His six goals have him tied for second in Suffolk County, just one goal off the current pace.

While the offense has certainly done its part, the story early in the season has been the Raiders’ ability to keep opponents from generating much of anything.

Goalkeeper Andy Hernandez has made 12 saves, but Pat-Med’s defensive success goes well beyond the numbers posted by its goalie. The Raiders have consistently limited opponents’ opportunities and have made it difficult for teams to even get shots on goal.

Through five games, allowing just two goals is the kind of statistic that gets everyone’s attention.

With a 4-1 record, 17 goals scored and four shutouts already in the books, Pat-Med has put together the kind of start that can create plenty of excitement around the program.

There is still a long season ahead, but if the Raiders continue defending at this level, they could be a very difficult team to score against — and an even tougher team to beat.