One on One: Case Matheis ‘12 - Attack - Darien (CT)
Posted: April 20 2011
Case Matheis '11 is no stranger to media attention. One of the highest ranked players in the Class of 2012 Matheis has been starting on the varsity lacrosse team at powerhouse Darien High School (CT) since his freshman year. The six time defending Connecticut Class M champions are at it again as they are ranked in the top 5 (2) in the country in many major polls.
Matheis broke on to the big stage last season when the Duke commit had a nine goal and three assist game in the 2010 state championship win over New Fairfield.
You can read about the game in the post game article from the Darien Online News, here.
We caught up with Case this week after Darien's loss to the #1 team in the country, Haverford (PA), for a one on one interview.
How has the season started for you guys?
CM: The season has been off to an almost perfect start. We lost our big #1 vs. #2 matchup with Haverford but we are more than ready to bounce back and finish the season strong.
What are your team and personal goals for this season? Who are some of the better competition for you guys in Connecticut this year?
CM: The team goals are always the same every year and that is winning the FCIAC and state championships. If I help take care of that then the individual accolades and things like that will take care of themselves. As far as competition goes it is always the usual suspects of Greenwich, Wilton, New Canaan, and Ridgefield.
Can you talk about how last season ended and the "championship game of your life"?
CM: I can’t even really put that game into words anymore it was just an amazing experience to share with my teammates and family. It is something I’ll never forget.
How has summer ball helped with developing your game and can you talk about what it is like to play with kids from all over New England and Massachusetts?
CM: I can’t help but give my Duxbury friends a shout out in this question. While at the Maverik Showtime this past summer I was rooming with a bunch of the Duxbury lacrosse players and it was an awesome time. Paul Carcaterra has one of the most, if not the most, elite recruiting camp in the country with Maverik Showtime and it was a great time with the Duxbury kids as well.
Talk a little about the recruiting process. How did you end up choosing Duke? What other schools were in the running?
CM: My recruiting process was as fun as it was stressful. There was a very long period of time where I had absolutely no idea where I wanted to go but I was fortunate enough to have many of the top schools in the country interested in me. My final schools were Duke, UVA, Syracuse, Princeton, and Johns Hopkins. I took the first weekend in September to do overnights at UVA and Duke and after that weekend I decided to commit to Duke. It is a really special place. My advice to any recruit is to take the time to do an overnight and stay with the team. That is how you will really know where you belong.
What is your history with lacrosse? When, how and why did you begin playing?
CM: I started playing lacrosse back in first grade with the Blue Wave Buddies program and I continued to learn lacrosse through the Darien Youth Lacrosse program. To be honest, I used to hate lacrosse until I was in the fifth grade and I was coached by the Syracuse legend Dom Fin. That is when I fell in love with the sport.
Can you talk about any major influences in your life that have shaped you on and off the field?
CM: I have to say that my family is the biggest influence in anything I do in my life. My parents support me so much, it is something that I am so grateful for. My two younger sisters and my younger brother are awesome and also support me all the way.
What have your teammates and coaches at Darien meant to you over the years?
CM: I have been very fortunate in my situation at Darien. It started with Coach Brameier believing in me and giving me the opportunity to be the first freshman to ever start in his program. My teammates are great, they have always looked out for me and accepted me as an underclassman, which was really cool. This year we have a very strong chemistry because everybody on the team wants to win, badly, and we are all happy when each other succeeds. I think that shows on the field.
What are your biggest strengths as a player and also something you need to continue to work on?
CM: My biggest strengths as a player are my dodging ability, vision, and stick skills. What I need to improve on is my shooting, stick protection, and my decision making.
Tell us one thing that is unique about you or that most people do not know?
CM: This question is a little hard for me because so much of my life is lacrosse related, but I would say that it would be that I love music. I can’t play any instruments but I love listening to music.
