SOCCER

Senior Spotlight: Midfielder Matt Lukasik grows into leader for D.C. Everest boys soccer

USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

Matt Lukasik was a second team all-Wisconsin Valley Conference selection last fall as the Evergreens repeated as the conference champions

WESTON - Matt Lukasik has played varsity minutes for the D.C. Everest boys soccer team since his freshman season.

This year he is one of the Evergreens leaders.

The senior midfielder is a co-captain along with Ryan Begley for a team coming off consecutive Wisconsin Valley Conference championships. The Evergreens also reached a WIAA Division 1 sectional final game last year.

“He is someone who has gotten better every year and developed into a really good leader,” Everest coach Manny Pollack said during a team practice this week.

Lukasik, a second team all-WVC selection last season, recently sat down with USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin to talk about his athletic high and low points against Stevens Point Area Senior High last year and his love of both traveling and books among other topics.

Do you have a nickname?

Last year I picked up a new nickname — Marty. Some of the seniors from last year gave me it and it has just kind of stuck. Some of the freshmen (this year) thought my name was Marty. That was pretty funny.

Is there something most people might not know about you?

I think I like reading a bit more than most people my age. I’m on my third (book this summer) and it's a 700-some page book.

What has been your most memorable sports moment?

The (second) SPASH game last year. It was for the conference title. There were so many fans there and (Evergreens keeper Alex) Pagel had the big penalty (kick) save. It was just nice to see the whole school come out and support us.

What would you say was your most embarrassing sports moment?

It also is against SPASH. It was during hockey and I got the puck back in our own zone and right as I went to pass it up, my stick broke. (The puck) went right to their No. 1 player (Cole Caufield) and he scored. It was a close game pretty much right up until that point.

Do you have any pregame superstitions or rituals?

Not as much as some other people do. I am more like a quiet one and pretty much keep to myself during warmups. I’m not someone who is joking around, I’m usually more serious and that helps me get ready for the game.

What teammates will you miss the most after this year?

We all have been playing together since we were younger, but this year it would probably be Ryan Begleyand Ben Weller, because I’ve been friends with them since elementary school.

Who is your celebrity crush?

Selena Gomez.

What is your dream vacation?

Rome. It’s one place I haven’t been and really would like to go there. I went to France last year and Germany this summer.

What is your dream career?

I have been thinking a lot about microbiology.

Do you have an idea what school you would like to go to next year?

It’s between the University of Chicago and (the University of Wisconsin) Madison.

MATT LUKASIK

School: D.C. Everest

Year: Senior

Sports: Soccer, hockey

What is your favorite sport, soccer or hockey? They are pretty much tied. It’s whatever sport I am playing at the time.

Favorite college or pro athlete: (Las Vegas Golden Knights goalie) Marc-Andre Fleury.