OVER THE PAST DECADE, ELSIK SOCCER HAS BEEN A DOMINANT FORCE IN THE DISTRICT AND BEYOND. WITH ITS TRADITION-RICH ENVIRONMENT, THE SUCCESS OF THE PROGRAM CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO THE TEAM’S CULTURE LED BY COACH VINCENZO COX.
As the team-captain, senior MF Alexander Mata carries on the Rams’ tradition with authority.
“Being the captain brings a lot of responsibility, but plenty of adversity as well,” he said. “I have to make sure I’m playing my part, both on and off the field, because the younger guys are looking up to me and they sometimes need guidance. Someone has to help set an example for them.”
Not only has Mata set an example for his peers on the field, but in the classroom as well.
Given that he currently ranks near the top of his class, this Elsik senior is adamant about taking care of business in both aspects of his high school tenure.
“You never know what kind of future you might want to pursue down the road, so I want to leave all my options open,” Mata said. “I want to make sure I’m doing everything correctly on the academic side and the field in order to give myself a better chance of success when I eventually enter a career path.”
While he hasn’t decided where he intends to go to college, Mata already has an idea of what he wants to do once he graduates. “I would like to pursue a career in Web Design or UX Design,” he said. “But soccer has always been my passion, so I hope that I’m still in love with that no matter what I’m doing in the future.”
However, before he moves onto the next stage of his life, the Rams’ captain still has one more season left to make his mark on the field alongside his teammates.
“The time I’ve spent with Elsik soccer has meant a lot to me,” said Mata. “It’s helped me to grow, not only as a player, but as a person. I’ve had some irreplaceable memories and moments throughout my high school career. I’m definitely going to miss it.”
Another district championship is unquestionably a possibility for Mata and the Elsik program.
Considering the significance the team means to him, expect Mata to do whatever he can to extend that moment into his final postseason with the Rams.