The men’s soccer team is kicking off the new season with excellent team chemistry and unity already established.

Head coach Joe Hunter expressed the importance of just playing together and feels that his team is off to an excellent start. He said this is a group of players that have bonded well.

“They get along well and that’s the key,” Hunter said. “They are not a group of guys that are disjunct or separated, they’re a group of guys that want to play together.”

Senior Brett Boysen feels that the great chemistry off the field will help the team on the field during game time, as well.

“Everyone’s friendly and we all get along very well so it’s almost like a family in a way,” Boysen said. “Team chemistry is amazing. We work well together, guys get along and when all that’s going on, it’s going to produce w’s, get some wins under our belts.”

The immediate goal for the Gators is to finish in the top four in the conference to earn a playoff spot. The team also hopes to better its record from last season, which ended 10-9-1 overall.

“Everyone beings at 0-0-0, we’re always in that position at the start,” coach Hunter said. “We are hoping that we’re going to continue to have a winning record and I think that we have the talent to do so.”

Hunter is beginning his 11th year as SF State soccer coach and is eager and optimistic for the upcoming season. Part of his excitement comes from the new wave of recruits he received this season.

“Right now at this point, some of our most productive players have been our new ones,” Hunter said. “But we have a good core group of returnees that will give us that good leadership.”

Good organization and understanding each player’s character contributes to a successful recruiting process. This season there are 20 returning players with eight returning starters. Hunter is pleased with the equal blend of each class of athletes from the freshman up to the seniors.

“You have got to put some faith in the players’ abilities and the beauty of this game is that it’s a player’s game,” he said. “It’s not a game that is the coach’s when it’s on. My job is now in the practice, but when the game starts, it’s their responsibility then to meet expectations and perform at the highest level.”

Coach Hunter says his team is an intelligent group that is eager to be tested.

The first test came with game one of the season, when the match ended in a 5-2 loss to the visiting Notre Dame de Namur Argonauts last Thursday afternoon at Cox Stadium.

With a current record of 0-1, the Gators will try to defend their turf at the next game against Seattle Pacific on Wednesday, Sept. 6.

“You always wait to see what it’s like when things aren’t great,” coach Hunter said. “You suffer a loss or whatever--that’s when their character and their desire will come out.”

The next step for the Gators is to play their best and win their upcoming games, which can only be done with good communication and organization, said goal keeper Jaxon Roberts.

“We get along great, there’s a lot of love out there,” Roberts said. “It’s all about the team. Organization comes through good relationships and communication. If you can communicate off the field, you can communicate on the field.”