On a clear September night at Cadet Soccer Stadium, the score remained 0-0 entering the 76th minute of play between the University of Denver and the Air Force Academy men’s soccer teams. Drawing a foul on a pass from first-year Trevor Wright (Castle Rock, CO), sophomore Lukas Fisher (Portland, OR) had the chance to grant the Crimson and Gold the lead.
“After drawing the foul, I knew [the opposition] was in a dangerous position. As I was assessing the situation, I saw how far the keeper was from the center of the goal. I knew that as long as I got it off the wall, it would be a goal. I’ve practiced countless free-kicks in the same position and knew I could do it,” Fisher recalled.
Connecting lace to rubber, Fisher would give DU the lead, 1-0, which the team held until the end of the second period. For his performance, Fisher was awarded Summit League Offensive Player of the week and the DU Athletics’ Player of the Month in September due to his outstanding academics and athletics.
As an attacking midfielder/forward for the Crimson and Gold, Fisher has learned that scoring requires a “delicate balance of hunger and composure. You need the desire to get yourself in the right position but the composure to slot the ball away.”
Additionally, Fisher has learned that DU soccer is about culture and each individual playing their role to the best of their ability.
“Soccer is a team sport but needs individuals to step up in big situations. I am always happy to help the team win and assisting and scoring goals is how I do that,” he explained.
Teammates such as sophomore defender Royan Wynne (Auckland, New Zealand) praised Fisher. “He’s a very intelligent player, he can play in tight spaces and create chances for his teammates,” he said.
Off the field, Fisher is interested in mechanical engineering but undeclared at this point in time. Through soccer, Fisher has also been able to experience myriad countries and cultures. “I love to travel and explore. I have been fortunate enough to play soccer in Barcelona, Brazil, Ireland and London,” he said.
Fisher’s passions also include cooking, in keeping with any accomplished athlete. “I have been following a plant-based diet for almost two years now so I love to experiment with where and what I can eat,” he explained.
Fisher has had a ball under his foot since he was three years old, developing his technical skills as a child playing by himself. Hours of practicing alone are where he developed a love for the sport and a mind for the game.
“I’ve always been a smaller player so being the smartest and most technical is where I excel. There are four components of a soccer player: mental, technical, tactical and physical. The beautiful thing about soccer is that each player can have different amounts of each of these and be successful. I personally think I stand out for my soccer brain,” he explained.
Fisher has encountered bumps in the road, which made him question his confidence and ability, but he maintains that in these moments he has grown the most.
“External pressures can cause internal negativity to creep in,” he said. “It is important to be your biggest fan and make sure your self-talk is positive. Resiliency is critical for success in whatever anyone does.”
Fisher’s future hopes are to go pro, and he has been working hard towards those hopes his whole life. He knows it’s just the beginning, and if he wants to achieve his opportunity, he has to keep pushing his standards. He is well aware that he has the potential to be a top player.
“It is only a matter of performing to that level each time I step on the field,” he said.
