By Jimmy Allinder
Lucas Espada has accomplished much in his young life but freely admits he still has a ways to go before he achieves his goals in life — one of which is playing college soccer.
Not just any college. The rising junior and goaltender for the East Brunswick High School boys team is considering a number of prestigious institutions, but he says his dream school is Harvard University. Nothing like shooting for the stars, but if anyone is capable of being accepted by the prestigious university, Espada is.
As an athlete, Espada demonstrated he was just not an ordinary soccer player by starring for various club teams as a youngster, so when he turned 14, he was extended an invitation to play for the Olympic Development Program, which hand picks the most promising young soccer players in America for intense training. The best will eventually find themselves playing for the U.S. Under-20 and National Teams.
“At that stage of my life, I really thought I had my priorities in order and was well on my way to realizing my dreams,” he said. “But I realized I was consumed by soccer along with a demanding academic schedule, and I eventually became overwhelmed.”
Something had to give, and Espada decided he needed to put more emphasis on his schoolwork. That meant joining Match Fit, an academy soccer program that dropped its status of disallowing members from playing for their high school teams. That opened the door for Espada to join the Bears’ soccer team this fall, which will enable head coach Terry McKibbin to call on a seasoned individual who has already been tested by quality competition.
Espada brings rare talent and experience to his position for his age and is thought to be one of the top rising players in the country.
“Opting to play for my high school and Match Fit was the right solution for being able to play competitive soccer combined with the right mix of academic classes and extracurricular activities,” he said.
Although Espada has extraordinary goalie skills, he continues to be a student of developing new techniques each time he steps in front of the net. He researches a different strategy at every opportunity and incorporates it in his preparation for practice, then games.
“It’s important to build a strong foundation for when the games are real,” he said. “My motto is ‘always stay ahead.’ Among other things, I’ve learned to become more versatile and learn more than what my coaches have taught me.”
Espada’s résumé already reads like a novel out of Who’s Who in American High Schools. As a middle school student, he sometimes played five sports at once while being involved in Talented and Gifted (TAG), Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) and Math Prime programs. Espada admits he was so immersed in becoming the best at everything he did, he became mentally and physically exhausted.
“To some extent, I was successful,” he said. “But it wasn’t easy, and I came to realize I was biting off more than I could chew.”
As a high school freshman, his academic schedule included English, Spanish 5, pre-calculus, chemistry and history (all honors classes). He was first chair double bassist for the Chamber Orchestra, sang in the Men’s Choir, was a member of Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) and was recruited to be part of Sources of Strength peer leadership program.
As a sophomore, he took part in Mr. EBHS, was asked to model in the school Collision event, performed in the talent show and was crowned Duke at Homecoming.
Outside school, Espada played recreation basketball and joined a rap competition against drugs and advanced to the state finals.
“The only way I could pull off everything was managing my time almost down to the minute, especially when it came to academics,” he said. “I finally realized I wasn’t able to give my best so I had to back off a bit. That’s another reason why I chose to play for my high school soccer team. I felt I could accomplish more by staying close to home.”
As is often the case with adversity, it can be a learning experience, and Espada certainly applied his education.
“My recommendation to anyone who takes on a huge academic load is to develop a time management plan,” he said. “Do not take on more than you can handle because ultimately you may not be getting the most out of everything.”
Although Espada has achieved much in his young life, he aspires to do much more.
“My professional dream is to become a businessman and change the world,” he said. “In June, I formed my own company, Incipient Enterprises, and started raising money for potential projects. I will be on the executive board for our FBLA club, which I strongly recommend for anyone who has an eye for business, change and public speaking.”
Espada was born in Manhattan and lived in the Bronx until he was 2 years old. His parents, Norbert and Lucia, wanted to raise their family in a suburban environment and settled on East Brunswick because of its excellence in academics, athletics and the arts. Other members of the Espada family followed, including Lucas Espada’s cousin, Christian (Emilio) Rodriguez, who played goal for the 2012 Bears, who suffered one loss (in the state tournament).
In 2004, Espada’s younger brother, Gabriel, was born, and he, too, has become a goaltender. Espada says that day is the most memorable moment of his life because of what his growing brother means to him.
“Every day I see Gabriel and the effort he puts into becoming a better player, I am reminded of how much harder I need to work,” he said. “Hopefully, he’ll develop that ethic and it will take him far. He’s my training partner, my friend, and I’ve tried to teach him everything I know. But just like me, Gabriel has a lot more to learn. But I’ve made a promise I will always be there for him.”
A promise Espada will undoubtedly keep.