Soccer Part of Hall's Blood

Some say the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

That phrase applies to senior Chris Hall, who is following in his father’s footsteps as a soccer player.

Introduced to soccer by his father at age six, Hall has been an important member of the Bridgewater-Raritan soccer team.  The storied program is off to a fast start this season, as the team sits at 4-2 with two wins last week over Ridge and Hunterdon Central respectively.

Hall’s role for the Panthers has evolved over his four years at Bridgewater-Raritan. He has now assumed a leadership role as the team captain, and is important for the development of the younger players in the program.

As the Panthers look to continue a hot start, Hall sat down with Bridgewater Patch to talk about soccer, Bridgewater’s program and his future after BRHS.

Bridgewater Patch: How did you get started with soccer?

Chris Hall: I started playing when I was six years old through recreation soccer. My dad played in college, so he wanted to sign me up at a young age. Ever since, I have just loved the game and loved playing it.

BP: What do you like most about playing soccer, and what has kept you playing through all these years?

CH: It’s just fun for me. I like being on the soccer field and having a soccer ball at my feet. My family gets close through soccer, so it’s something that makes us all happy.

BP: You mentioned that your father played soccer in college. Is soccer a family thing and why is it so important to you and your family?

CH: Yeah it is. My whole family has grown up playing soccer so we all relate through the game. It’s kind of nice because it really does bring us closer together. I have two sisters that also play and we just all love it.

BP: Last year’s team went to the sectional final and there were a lot of seniors that graduated off that team. How is this year’s team different from last year’s?

CH: This year we are young. However, this year everyone plays real good together and our chemistry is great. Everyone always gives 100 percent and we all play within our own world. We don’t have anyone who tries to put the whole team on their back so everyone uses each other well.

BP: This year you were selected as one of the team captains which comes with a lot of responsibility. How has your role changed from last year to this year?

CH: This season, I have taken more of a leadership role. I just want to make sure everyone is doing their part and my job is to keep the team together through the ups and downs of a season.

BP: What were your expectations for this team and how has the team lived up to those expectations so far?

CH: Expectations are always high for this program because the standard has been set high from previous years. It was a little bit of a rebuilding year for us because we lost so many key players. We might not have as much talent as we did last year, but we have enough talent to make a far run in the state tournament, especially if we keep playing like we’re playing.

BP: What have you learned so far playing for Coach [Rick] Szeles and this Bridgewater soccer program?

CH: You have to go out there and give it your all every time you step on the field. You might not always play your best game, but if you give 100 percent effort, things will fall your way. Coach Szeles and the other coaches preach this and it’s something we try to do every day.

BP: Have you made a decision on a college or what you want to do when you are done at BRHS?

CH: Yeah I have been looking at a few schools, mostly instate such as Montclair State.  I have also looked at Iona and I want to play soccer at the collegiate level.

BP: What have you learned from this program and what will you take with you to the next level?

CH: My work ethic. I always want to keep working and I know practice is where everything is built so I know I need to keep the right mentality even if I’m not playing. Like I said earlier, if you keep playing hard, things will fall in the right places for you and that’s all I can really do.