The work for this Hazen boys soccer team started last May.

On the bus ride after a season-ending loss to Auburn Mountainview, coach Ken Matthews spelled things out for the team.

“I laid down the law at that point,” said Matthews, who took over as head coach of the team mid-season. “They all know I have very high expectations.”

Hazen finished 7-7-2 overall last year and tied with Evergreen for second place in the Seamount. The team made the sub-district playoffs before the loss to Auburn Mountainview.

“We flushed that down the toilet,” said senior Conner Hall. “It’s the start of a new season.”

The team’s captains are Hall and junior Sam Bunnell. Hall, a defender, is a three-time, all-league player. Bunnell, a forward, has made two all-league teams.

Other key players are senior outside back Frankie Johnson (three all-league mentions) and junior goal keeper Freddy Jeronimo. Matthews said the team has several players who are just a notch below and will emerge as the season progresses.

“The team is looking great this year,” Bunnell said. “It’s young and showing a lot of promise.”

A newcomer to watch is freshman forward Jorman Gonzalez.

The team’s transition from a defensive style to an offensive style built around passing under Matthews should be more complete this season since he’ll have

a full season to work with the team.

He said several boys players came out to watch him coach the girls team in the fall. It helped the players realize the message Matthews is spreading.

“He definitely came into it very prepared and the guys have matched that,” Hall said. “We started conditioning a month and a half ago. … There’s a lot of excitement through the whole school.”

Hazen had a coaching change early. Assistant Ryan Johnson took over as head coach of Lindbergh. Matthews added Bre Vanden Bos, who has been his assistant with the girls team at Hazen.

“All the tools are there,” Matthews said. “It’s just a matter of if we can put it together in a short period of time.”