TicketsBearcat to Watch: Wiremu Patrick
10/4/2004
|
|
by Bobby Schuckman, Sports Communications Student
Senior forward and co-captain, Wiremu Patrick, left his hometown of Wellington, New Zealand four years ago to play for the Bearcats. Since then, he has become the team?s leading scorer and leader. Despite being an ocean away from his family and friends, Patrick has enjoyed his UC experience.
?I love it. No regrets. It was a great chance for me. It was real tough at first not seeing family and friends. Everyone?s been so good, which made it easier. Parents invite us over for holidays and look after us and help us out. That made it easier after leaving and being away from family and friends.?
After playing with the under-20 New Zealand national team as well as the Miramar Rangers in 1999 and 2000, Patrick decided to go to college and play in the United States. ?You can?t go to school, get a degree, and play in Australia. I wanted something to fall back on. My mom wanted me to do it. It?s the best of both worlds.?
Patrick?s collegiate career did not start as expected. Shortly after arriving in Cincinnati, he learned that the coach who had recruited him (Jeff Cook) was leaving the program. This came as a surprise but did not cause him to rethink joining the Bearcats. ?I was shocked he was leaving but two other players from New Zealand being on the team was a big factor.? Needless to say, Cincinnati is glad he chose to stay with the program.
During his career, Patrick has racked up many achievements. In 2002, he was named third team All-Conference USA as well as a member of the Conference USA all tournament team while also achieving second team All-Ohio. He also ranked third in Conference USA in goals, and fifth in points, points per game, and goals per game. During his freshman campaign, he was named to the C-USA All-Freshman squad as well as being named the Bearcat?s rookie of the year.
Patrick was named the Bearcat?s MVP this past spring, but says, ?I?m happy with it, but it doesn?t mean much if I don?t have a good fall. I think the fall means more. I?d rather have the team have a good season than myself have a good season.?
Patrick has had many exciting games in his career but puts the 2003 game against No. 5 Saint Louis at the top. Cincinnati ended up beating Saint Louis 4-3 after being down 3-1. It was UC?s first ever win over Saint Louis. The humble Patrick failed to mention it was his game winning assist that lifted the Bearcats to victory.
The team player has now become the programs seventh all-time scorer, as well as seventh in career points. ?It?s kind of weird. It wasn?t anything I?ve thought about going into a season.? Patrick's game winning goal against Bradley this year gave him 23 career goals, only two away from sixth-place on the career scoring list. Patrick has a chance at catching Myron Vaughn as the team?s fourth all-time scorer, with 29 goals.
Last year?s team earned the second bid to the NCAA tournament in program history while also winning its first C-USA regular season championship. Patrick and the Bearcats have set some goals for the upcoming season. Even though the Bearcats are young, they hope to get to the conference tournament and then to the NCAA tournament.
?We have a lot of young guys (13 underclassmen) and lost a lot of leadership. I try to show the young guys how to do things and try to keep things positive.? Patrick also thinks the move to the Big East is good for his team. ?It?s a good sign for the program with good teams, week in and week out.?
After his final year, the senior psychology major plans to further his education, but would like to continue his soccer playing days before that happens. ?Eventually I might go to law school either in New Zealand or here. I would like to continue to play over here or somewhere else.?