SACRAMENTO, Calif.-- The Hornet men's soccer team announced the signing of striker Patrick Nelle on Thursday. Nelle, a graduating senior from Rio Americana High School, is the first signee of the season.

Nelle scored 65 goals during his high school career and was named team MVP his senior season. He was named All-Sierra Valley Conference after his sophomore and junior seasons and was selected to the all-Capital Athletic League team as a senior.

Nelle is also competing in his eighth year of competitive soccer with River City United. In addition, he is currently the leading scorer for the U-19 Cal-North State Cup Champion River City Rush club team which reached the Western Region Finals last year.

Head coach Michael Linenberger plans to use Nelle as the third striker along with senior Sean Luigs and sophomore David Fraser.

"Patrick is a goal scorer that we expect to contribute significantly as a freshman for us next season," he said. "He will be a good compliment to Luigs and Fraser as our third striker."