What defines Patrick Sigler when fans watch the 6-foot-4, shaggy-haired senior from the sidelines at soccer matches might be his unique look and ability to shut down opposing offenses. But behind all this is a two-time high school All-American selection, California Gatorade Player of the Year, two-time All-Big West first team player, multiple Big West defensive player of the week award-winner and an invitee to the U.S. Men’s National Team U-20 training camp in 2008.
A starter since his second year at Cal Poly, the senior center back anchors the defense of the Cal Poly men’s soccer team with a total of nine goals and 21 points in his five years at Cal Poly. As evidenced by his status as a team co-captain with multiple awards, Sigler has been a force on the Mustangs backline since 2008.
Fellow captain and senior left back Wes Feighner said he reveres Sigler’s work ethic and the dedication he brings to the pitch day-in and day-out.
“He’s one of the most consistent game players,” Feighner said. “I can always count on him to do to what he needs to do back there. As long as he’s (on the back line), we have a chance to win.”
Following an injury-plagued freshman year, Sigler found his groove in a breakout season in 2008 as he racked up a total of five goals and 11 points. He was also named Big West freshman of the year and was invited to train with the U-20 United States Men’s National Team. He earned a second nod to the All-Big West first team squad in 2010 as a junior, a year in which he co-led the Mustangs with 1,698 minutes played and averaged more than 90 minutes per start.
One night in 2008 — he said he remembers it was a Wednesday — Sigler got a phone call from an unknown number but didn’t pick up because he’s admittedly “not big on answering random phone calls.”
He then listened to the four-minute voicemail the caller left; the voice on the other end was that of a coach from the United States Men’s National Team who was recruiting him to join their training camp in Florida.
“The award that sticks out the most is when I got called to the U.S. Men’s National Team,” Sigler said. “I was playing and representing for my country in a way I’ve never really done before. It’s probably one of the best experiences I’ve ever had, and hopefully in the near future, I can get called in again and take full advantage of it.”
Still, the Cardinal Newman High School alumnus from Santa Rosa, Calif., doesn’t boast about his success on the field. Sigler’s laid back demeanor and humility toward his play is evident when he talks about his invitation to play soccer on the national level.
“I got pretty lucky. I wasn’t expecting (the call) at all,” Sigler said. “I got to give a lot of credit to the coaches. They put in a lot of work for me, and they thought I was good enough to play with the (national) team.”
In his five years as a Mustang, Sigler has been a part of some of Cal Poly soccer’s biggest matches, most recently its upset away from home of then No. 7 UC Irvine. He converted his first ever collegiate penalty kick attempt in the match to secure the win and the biggest upset in Cal Poly history.
Head coach Paul Holocher said Sigler was also integral in the Mustangs’ upset against UCLA in the first round of the 2008 NCAA tournament.
“He’s part of the team that took us to the NCAA playoffs against UCLA,” Holocher said. “He helped us beat a very good team that year.”
Holocher also said he has seen Sigler’s growth from a freshman star to one of the team’s captains in 2011.
“He has matured and understands what it takes to be a top-flight player,” Holocher said. “He had very good captains when he was younger … now he’s the older statesmen on the team. It’s up to him now to bring a level of consistency for the rest of the season to the team.”
Sigler’s seemingly relaxed attitude, which can be judged by his mannerisms and, of course, his haircut, should not be confused with the level of vocal leadership he brings to the team as a captain.
According to Feighner, Sigler is a master at providing guidance to the rest of the men’s soccer team.
“He’s real good at pulling people together and being a leader on the team,” Feighner said. “He has everyone’s respect, and he’s always able to influence people.”
Soccer has been Sigler’s passion since he was 4 years old, watching and playing the game with his older siblings growing up in the Santa Rosa area. The defender tributes much of his success on the pitch to his family, especially to his parents who have attended every game in his Cal Poly career.
His family has also had a major influence on his interests outside of soccer, namely his passion for the NFL’s Green Bay Packers.
“My dad grew up two blocks away from Lambeau Field,” Sigler said. “My mom is a diehard Packers fan. She always watches every game, and whenever they were on TV, I would get stuck watching them. For some reason I’ve always been (a Packers fan), and I’m going to be one until the day I die.”