Senior spotlight: Natalie Lucht a reason for Wausau West girls soccer optimism

WAUSAU - The Wausau West girls soccer team has not finished with a winning record in the Wisconsin Valley Conference since 2006. 

A veteran-laden Warriors squad not only intends to end that drought this spring but also challenge for the WVC title. 

Natalie Lucht is one of 13 seniors on the roster and a reason for West's optimism. A member of the varsity team since her freshman year, Lucht earned first-team all-WVC honors in a junior season in which she made the transition from midfield to forward.  

"Natalie is someone that we like to play off of, someone you hope you can get the ball to because she is going to make something happen," West coach Jordan Dinjer said. "She makes a difference when she is out there. She is in every play whether it is with the ball at her feet or moving support."

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Lucht, who had four goals and 11 points in conference play last spring, recently sat down with USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin to talk about this year's Warriors team, her junior season and postgraduation plans, among other topics. 

Do you have a nickname which your friends/teammates or family members call you?

A lot of (people) just call me Nat. I don't really have any crazy, funny nicknames. 

West is one of the deepest or most veteran teams in the conference. How much optimism or excitement does the team have going into the season?

We're all really excited. We only lost one senior from last year, so we still have a lot of the same team back. We didn't live up to our full potential last season and we know that. We're just ready to crush it this year. We think we have a lot of potential. (Winning conference) is definitely a goal of ours. This year we definitely think we've got a chance against every team in the conference. 

Outside of being a veteran team, what do you think is West's strength this year?

We have a very strong defensive group and that is one of our strengths. We do have really strong midfield players, too, I believe.

Looking at the individual success you had last spring, how do you want to build off that this year?

Last year was an interesting year for me. I view myself as a midfield player and I was challenged to play more forward. That was definitely a challenge for me but we had good people filling the middle, too, and they were able to help me out in that position. I felt like (the season) turned out. 

When was the time last season when you felt comfortable with the move?

There was a stretch of games where we realized that we were kind of struggling with the forwards in making those runs. There were a couple practices after that point in which we focused more on it and i was able to understand more the kind of runs I had to make and I feel that really benefited me. 

Who is your celebrity crush?

(Actors) Ansel Elgort and Dylan O'Brien. 

Where is your dream vacation?

Fiji.

Are you superstitious at all. Do you have any pregame traditions or routines?

I do wear the same headband every game. 

What is your postgraduation plan?

I am going to UW-Oshkosh and playing for the women's soccer team so I am really excited for that. Soccer has been my love forever and I knew going into freshman year that (playing in college) was something I wanted to pursue so I went to a ton of ID camps trying to get seen by different colleges. 

Do you know what you want to major in?

I want to major in nursing, and they have a good program there. 

FAVORITES

Sport: Soccer.

Pro or college athlete: Alex Morgan. I've always been a huge fan of her and the whole U.S. (national) women's team. 

Movie: "Baby Driver."

Music: I listen to so many kinds, but mainly pop. 

TV show: "Grey's Anatomy."

App on phone: Instagram or Snapchat.

Food or meal: Anything pasta, especially pregame.