For most incoming Saint Joseph's freshmen, the transition from high school to college is a rather quick one. But for men's lacrosse's Matt Popeck, it has been a year in the making.
A standout on defense at Sherwood High School, the US Lacrosse All-American graduated in 2017. Following graduation though, Popeck took a gap year to live in Israel to both help coach youth players and play for the Israeli National Team. On Thursday, Popeck tallied the first goal of the 2018 FIL Men's Lacrosse World Championship for his team in an 11-3 victory over Jamaica.
Prior to the the FIL Men's Lacrosse World Championship, Popeck talked to SJUHawks.com about his experience in Israel, the upcoming tournament and his future as a Hawk.
Q: How did taking the gap year come about?
A: When I verbally committed during my junior year I was told that the 2017 class had filled up quickly, but they were still interested in me. So they gave me the opportunity to take a year, whether I wanted to PG or take a gap year. Coach Horowitz actually mentioned the idea to my parents and I about interning with Israel Lacrosse for a year.
Q: When did you first start helping coach and how did that opportunity begin?
A: The opportunity for me to move to Israel began over the summer after national team tryouts and a men's league that Israel Lacrosse puts on called the Israel Premier Lacrosse League (IPLL) where I played for Ashkelon. Following the summer events, I returned home and received a call saying I had made the team, but they wanted to see my commitment, so I would have to move to Israel and be a youth coach for the year leading up to the world games. I moved over in November and immediately started recruiting clinics and coaching a U15 team and a U19 team in Ashkelon.
Q: What has been your most enjoyable experience with coaching?
A: My most enjoyable experience with coaching has been with a group of 16 year-olds who had been playing together for a few years. Through them trying to teach me Hebrew and me trying to help them learn more about the game. I became friends with these kids, but I also saw the way they looked up to me as their coach and a national team player.
Q: How has this experience prepared you for the future, both in lacrosse and beyond?
A: This experience has helped me in lacrosse both physically and mentally. I have the opportunity to work out for an extra year before entering school as well as learning more about the game on both sides of the ball. Outside of lacrosse, I have made connections with people 5,000 miles away from home, whether it be adults or kids who I have played with and coached. I have met some amazing people and have also learned a lot about the importance of communication when it comes to responsibility.
Q: What are your expectations for the World Championships?
A: My personal expectations are high for the team as I think we can compete with the top countries in the world. I've seen how hard our team has worked to get to this moment and I'm excited for the games to start.
Q: Working with Coach Horowitz with Team Israel, how do you see this as helping transition to coming to SJU?
A: Playing with team Israel has been a great experience and I think it's helped me get used to a more physical and faster game as opposed to high school. Working with coach Horowitz has helped me become familiar with the defenses that we'll be running and I can start tailoring my game to how he wants me to play, as opposed to starting that process when I get on campus.
Q: What are your expectations for the upcoming year at Saint Joseph's?
A: I'll be coming in after a year off of school, so I expect it to be a bit of a challenge to hop right back in, but I know the support that i'll be provided will help me do the work as well as I can. Also, I realized I need to focus as hard in the classroom as I do on the field. I'm expecting our team to continue to do well even with the young core that we'll have.
