The El Paso High Boys’ Varsity Soccer team is off to a successful start this season with a 7-2-1 (wins-ties-losses) record under the leadership of new head coach, Arnold McElroy. With a renewed sense of focus and determination, the team is poised to make a strong push for the playoffs—a goal they haven’t reached since 2017.
According to team captain Andres Corral, a junior, coach McElroy’s unique coaching style has brought a noticeable shift in the team’s dynamics.
“He has a different coaching style than before, and he interacts with the team more often and overall pushes us harder,” Andres said.
Sophomore, Justin Ontiveros, also praised McElroy’s approach, emphasizing how the coach keeps the team focused and helps them improve each day.
“He really works hard to make sure we understand what we’re doing in practice, and he makes sure we stay focused and he just helps us be better as people and players.” Justin said.
The team’s chemistry has also been a key factor in their strong performance this season.
“A lot of our players play together on the Locomotives, a club team, so it’s easier for us to connect on the field, That bond makes a difference in our play,” Sebastian Camou, a senior, said.
One player who has quickly became a key contributor this season has been freshman, Carlos Hernandez, with 9 goals and 2 assists in just 10 games.
“He’s really good for a freshman, He’s confident in his abilities, and we’re glad to have him on the team,” Andres said.
While another one of his teammates also spoke highly of him, highlighting Hernandez’s impressive performance as a freshman and his confidence on the field.
“He’s been our top goal scorer so far this season, and for someone so young, that’s impressive,” Justin said.
With the talent they have and the leadership of coach McElroy, the team has high hopes for the remainder of the season.
“Our main goal is definitely to make the playoffs, We haven’t made it in a long time, but we’re determined to keep winning and keep pushing forward,” Justin said.
Sebastian, a senior, is confident that the team has the potential to outperform previous years, especially with the added guidance of coach McElroy.
“We have a lot of great players, and with coach McElroy’s guidance, I think we have a real chance at success,” Sebastian said.
The El Paso High boys’ varsity soccer team’s strong start and positive mindset under coach McElroy suggest that the rest of the season could be very promising for the Tigers. They currently stand in third place in district play, trailing only Andress and Burges by one game. They lost a close match to Andress 1-0 on Friday, but will face them again on Feb. 21, a match that could be for the district championship.
“Having a new coach has really shifted our mindset. He’s brought in fresh ideas, and it’s helping us play smarter and with more confidence. It’s exciting to see how everyone’s responding, especially the younger guys,” Sebastian said.
