Patrick Edmundson and Cody Forsythe celebrate a victory over Brewer in the county soccer tournament. | Brent Maze

Cody Forsythe and Patrick Edmundson are having a lot more fun this year than they have during their Hartselle careers.

The two senior leaders of the Hartselle boys soccer team have been through several tough seasons including a season with few high points in 2011.

But things are different in 2012. The Tigers are sporting a 9-9-2 record including a 6-2 section record for second place.

“It’s definitely been a lot more fun this year,” Edmundson said. “Last year, we lost so many close games, but this year, we’ve been winning the close games.”

In fact, the Tigers have won at least five games either in penalty kicks or in overtime and have won a number of matches by just one goal.

Forsythe said their team’s style is to play defense.

“Defense is what we do best,” Forsythe said. “That’s where it starts with for us.”

The Tigers will travel to Athens for the first round of the Class 5A Soccer Playoffs on Tuesday, May 1, at 7:30 p.m.