Senior Luke Robbins stays attentive on the field at the Cal Poly Spanos Stadium. Photo courtesy of junior Gabby Arteaga.

  This year’s Girls and Boys Soccer teams at San Luis Obispo High School are in the middle of their seasons. Ranked third in Central Section Rankings, the Tigers have shown their fierceness throughout this season. So far, the Boys Varsity team has won nine of its fourteen games, and the Girls Varsity team has won twelve of its sixteen games. 

Expressions decided to interview two SLOHS Varsity soccer players and see how they have been feeling about this season so far. 

Expressions: How has this season been different from other seasons you’ve been in?

Junior Ben Morales: This season is different because it has been more difficult. There’s a lot more intense training, and coaching is really strict.

Sophomore Sloan Retseck: This season has been different, obviously, because we have a different coach, so we have that to change, and then we had seniors leaving, and we have freshmen and other sophomores coming up to join the team. Our team identity will just change throughout the season because we have different people being a part of it. I think it’s just like every year, it’s a new season to just see what the team’s goals are, what the team’s values are, and where we thrive together.

Expressions: What has been your most memorable moment so far?

Morales: Tying against Clovis was really fun. We were down one to three in the first half of the game, and we came back and tied three-three. 

Retseck: We had our first game against St. Joe’s this Tuesday, January sixth, at the Cal Poly stadium, and the environment was amazing. We worked really well together as a team, and we came out with a win. It was the first league game, so it felt extra good. We all played so well and were just communicating, and it felt like the atmosphere and the energy around us were all just so amazing. 

Expression: Who’s a teammate you have gotten close to this season?

Morales: I have gotten close to a lot of different people. A lot of my teammates are really good buddies with me, like Finn, Jack, and Axel. All my teammates I’ve gotten really close to.

Retseck: I think I’ve gotten close to everyone in general, especially the seniors who were juniors last year, and the sophomores who are now juniors, just because I’ve had another year to be on the same team as them. And then obviously, the other goalie and I have grown so much closer; I love her with my whole heart. She’s amazing. 

Expressions: How would you describe the communication between you and your teammates during games?

Morales: It’s there and then. It’s hard to communicate with the people playing up top, so I communicate more with the defense. We work on it a lot during our practices. 

Retseck: I would say, at the beginning of the season, it wasn’t the best, though we’ve gotten better at it and were learning, like what each person needs in order to communicate well. For example, some people need more direct communication, others enthusiasm, or constructive criticism. 

Expressions: What is something you or your team does before a game?

Morales: We do a little moment of silence for a minute, and then we get straight into our warm-ups. 

Retseck: Our assistant coach last season made us listen to this seventeen minute meditation, and now whenever we have the time, we do it. It’s just like a moment for us to be all together and present in that moment, and just focus on the game ahead and what we want to accomplish during that time. 

Expressions: Did you set a goal for yourself at the beginning of the season, and have you accomplished it?

Retseck: This year, our goal as a team is to win the league and get back to the CIF Division 1 Finals. These events are in the future, but our chemistry as a team and the level at which we play make the goals very reachable for us. I’m really excited to see how our season plays out and see us succeed!

 There’s no doubt that soccer at San Luis Obispo High School brings students together. This sport isn’t just about kicking a ball around, but it is about bonding, communication, and trust.