Case Matheis wrapped up this past season with a record-setting performance in helping Darien win its sixth straight Class M Connecticut state title. The slick and smooth attackman scored nine times to break the school record for goals in a game as the Blue Wave rolled to a 17-5 win against New Fairfield.

Duke’s men’s lacrosse team concluded this past season by outlasting Notre Dame 6-5 in overtime for its first national titles.

Both Matheis and Duke enjoyed special endings to their 2010 seasons. In 2013, Matheis will start what he hopes will be an equally memorable collegiate career. And he’ll be doing it at Duke, Matheis told me early last night, moments after giving coach John Danowski’s Blue Devils a verbal commitment to accept a scholarship offer.

The 5-foot-7, 145-pound Matheis is the No. 2-ranked junior in the nation by Inside Lacrosse. He narrowed his college choices to Duke and Virginia and made his commitment shortly after returning from a visit to Duke.

Here’s a Q&A with Case on his commitment:

What were the main factors in your decision?
The chance to win a national championship, academics, the chemistry/atmosphere of the team, the coaches, and the offensive system.

What other schools were you considering and what schools did you visit?
My top 5 were Duke, UVa, Princeton, Syracuse and Johns Hopkins. I made visits to all of the schools and I did overnights at Duke and UVA.

When were your visits and what were your thoughts about how those visits went? I had taken visits to all of my top 5 schools and I took overnight visits to Duke and UVa this past weekend.

What impressed you most about Duke on the visit?
The most impressive thing about Duke was how easygoing the guys on the team were. I really enjoyed my time with them. I left my visit feeling like I was a Duke lacrosse player.

What adjustments do you think you will need to make to play at the next level?
For somebody my size to have a major impact at the D-I level I am going to need to have that extra burst of speed with enough body strength so I don’t get pushed around. If I can match the level of D-I athletically then I think my skills can take over. I also need to work on my riding and ground ball play

What are your strengths as a player and how would you describe your style of play?
My biggest strength as a player is the ability to make plays happen. Whether it be finding the soft spot of the defense for a finish, making a nice feed to a teammate, or scoring off the dodge. I would describe my style of play as being a quick dodger, with the ability to feed as well as finish.

When did you first realize you had the potential to play at the major D-I level?
For me, I never had a realization moment. It was more of just a goal that I set for myself and it looks like it is becoming a reality.

* For background info on Case, check out his recruit profile by clicking here.

Posted In: Recruiting Rundown

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17 Responses to “Darien’s Matheis: ‘I left my visit feeling like I was a Duke lacrosse player’”

  1. Ride the Wave says:

    Excellent choice. All the best Case!

  2. I-95 Lax says:

    Sounds like he really did a good job weighing his options and coming away with a great decision. Looking forward to watching him for two more HS seasons.

  3. BlueWhite says:

    The 2011 edition has the pieces to be the best Wave team ever. They and Jay need to get it on during the regular season,

  4. Wave Lax says:

    Excellent interview, Joe. I know you were the first person Case called with the news after he gave his verbal. It’s a testament to the wonderful work you do and the way you are respected by the entire tristate lax community.

  5. Set Lax says:

    Why will Darien have one of their best teams this year? Who are their other good players besides Case?

  6. LI Guy says:

    Pretty impressive for this kid to be rated so high considering his size. Great story.

  7. We will see says:

    if he adds 3 inches and 30 lbs of muscle he will be legit at the next level

  8. laxr says:

    Set Lax —

    They have 7 seniors going to D1 schools, and at least 2-3 more juniors other than Case who will go D1.

  9. scooter says:

    max qunizani type of player.

  10. slacrosse says:

    Sounds like in same size range as Connor English (Sett/UVA).

  11. tsunami says:

    Joe, great job on the scoop. Congrats Case! A great choice. Look forward to seeing you play in the next few years and following you as a Blue Devil.

  12. Rowayton says:

    Case is so poised and polished off the field too. Nice job Case in the interview on MSG Varsity the day you committed. Your sooo smooth kid. I saw the interview on News 12 too later that nite…

  13. CT Lax says:

    Congrats Case!

  14. Just sayin says:

    Good to see 5-7 kids like Case and Caffrey doing their thangggg at the D-1 level

  15. Laxerrr says:

    Good choice not only on academics but based on attackmen that will be returning and chances of playing time.

  16. Ride the Wave says:

    Good point. I agree about the playing time. Case will have an opportunity to make an impact right away. It’s interesting that James Pannell of Smithtown West picked UVa shortly after Case decided on Duke.

  17. Waver Lax says:

    Case is half man, half amazing.

Leave a Reply to Rowayton