Iron Horse boys’ soccer off to strong start in 2024 season

The Philip Simmons High School boys’ soccer team is off to an impressive start to the 2024 season with nine victories in its first 11 games.

 

That’s pretty much the standard operating procedure for the Iron Horses under the guidance of fourth-year coach Patrick Gunderson.

 

Gunderson owns a 57-13 record at the school since taking over in 2021. He was 14-4 as a coach in his first year, including 4-0 in Region 6-AA to claim the conference crown. The team was 15-2 the following year and claimed the 6-AA title with a 6-0 record.

 

In 2023, the Iron Horses moved up to Class AAA and continued to impress, finishing with a 19-5 record, including 6-2 in Region 8-AAA to finish second behind Beaufort, which won the Lower State championship. This year, the Iron Horses have been dominant at times, outscoring foes 27-7.

 

What’s the reason for the Iron Horses’ success?

 

Gunderson hasn’t taken any short cuts, growing the program after the 2020 season when the Iron Horses opened with four consecutive victories before COVID-19 shut the season down.

 

Gunderson uses the word collective as another reason why his team is successful. In other words, it’s a team effort.

 

“We’re collective and the unique thing about it is we have used 11 different starting lineups in 11 games,” Gunderson said. “Everybody works together. Everybody works for the same goal. Regardless of the starting lineup, regardless of who steps onto the field, we rely on each other.”

 

Last season, the Iron Horses had a bountiful roster of 26 players, including nine seniors. This season, the numbers are down with 22 players, including six seniors on the roster.

 

Still the results remain the same.

 

The Iron Horses finished second in the region last spring and reached the third round of the playoffs, losing a 2-1 decision to Waccamaw in a Lower State semifinal.

 

The natural progression, as far as team goals are concerned, is to win the region crown and play for a berth in the state championship.

 

“We have a great group of kids,” Gunderson said. “They buy into the program and they believe in each other. That’s what you want as a coach.”

 

Erik “Reed” Swanson and Cris Morales-Padilla make things happen on offense. Swanson has eight goals and six assists for 22 points, while Morales-Padilla has found the net nine times and has handed out one assist to accumulate 19 points.

 

Other key players includes Levi Evans, Sean Herndon, Cullen Sweeney and Max Toperzer.

 

The Iron Horses’ region schedule should prepare them for the postseason. 

 

Gunderson says Hanahan and Beaufort will be the Iron Horses’ biggest challengers for region superiority. Waccamaw is another team with potential to win the Lower State while Daniel seems to be the team to beat in the Upstate.

 

“Hanahan is very strong,” Gunderson said. “Beaufort is the reigning Lower State champion. It’s going to be a fight.”

 

Beaufort went 7-1 in league play last year with its only loss coming to Philip Simmons. The Iron Horses were second with a 6-2 mark, losing to Beaufort.