Boy’s head coach Neal Hetzel (far right) celebrates the oldest players on Senior Night. Photo Courtesy of senior Emerson Oetman.

It’s the back half of San Luis Obispo High School’s winter sports season! Expressions decided to check in with brand new boy’s soccer head coach Neal Hetzel and see how the season has been looking for the team. 

Expressions: Why did you want to coach at SLOHS? 

Boy’s Soccer Head Coach Neal Hetzel: I enjoy giving back to the community I live in! Coaching at SLOHS is a great opportunity to do that and to coach some high level soccer along the way.

Expressions:  What did you expect the boys soccer season to look like?

Hetzel: The local soccer landscape is very competitive, so I expected to see a great challenge!

Expressions: What style of play are you hoping to implement? 

Hetzel: Our style of play is evolving and adaptable but our core values are defensively solid, high intensity, and unity amongst individuals.

Expressions: Are there any players you’d like to give a shout out to? Why?

Hetzel: All of them! The team is the sum of the individuals. We gain great strength from every player in the group.

Expressions: When did you start playing soccer and what is your experience with the sport?

Hetzel: I started at the age of four! My mom was my first coach. I played all the way until I was 24 in the minor leagues in Europe.

Expressions:  Have you run into any roadblocks with the team/program? If so, how do you plan to overcome them?

Hetzel: The main roadblock has been the group adapting to a new coach and new players. The program lost something like fourteen seniors from last season so we are basically a brand new team and have had some great moments and some moments where growth is needed.

Good luck to the boys as they head into CIF! Check out the schedule to come support them, there might just be a few home games set up!