Neuqua Valley’s Gavin Majewski records an assist, but the Loyola recruit’s father wins final meeting

Neuqua Valley senior midfielder Gavin Majewski knows that being a legacy gives you a name but not necessarily game. He has both.

Majewski and his younger brothers, Nolan and Ryder, were introduced to soccer by their parents, Lukasz and Denise, who both played the sport in college.

Denise Majewski played at Elmhurst, while Lukasz Majewski, who emigrated from Poland when he was 12, played at Dominican and Aurora and has been Plainfield North’s coach for the past seven years.

“We let them try different sports,” Lukasz Majewski said. “We introduced them to soccer. But from there on, it’s on them what they do on their own.”

Gavin Majewski immediately embraced soccer. The Loyola recruit is a four-year varsity player for the Wildcats.

“It’s good when you have a true soccer player and not just a player that plays soccer,” Neuqua Valley coach Arnoldo Gonzalez said. “I know it sounds cliché, but Gavin is a true 18-to-18 player because he is the one checking and assisting.

“When you have plays starting with him and ending with him, it’s a good problem to have.”

Gavin Majewski’s soccer education began at home, where he learned from his father and competed with his brothers. Nolan Majewski is a sophomore midfielder for the Wildcats, and Ryder Majewski is a seventh grader.

“I’ve been training with my dad since as long as I can remember, so he’s definitely part of the reason that I am who I am today,” Gavin Majewski said. “I feel like playing with my brothers in the back yard helps, and so does playing with my friends.

“I honestly don’t know what else I’d do. It’s something to keep me busy.”

Last Thursday, Gavin Majewski was busy doing something few sons get to do. Competing against his father, he assisted on junior midfielder Adil Jeffery’s game-tying goal at the 2:49 mark of the first half, but Plainfield North’s Joel Martinez scored with 2:54 to go in the second half to give the Tigers a 2-1 win.

It was the fourth and final game between the Majewskis. Neuqua Valley won the first one as Gavin Majewski assisted on the game’s only goal during his freshman season, but Lukasz Majewski has a 2-1-1 record against his son’s team.

“This was the deciding day, so it was unfortunate that we couldn’t win,” Gavin Majewski said.

Lukasz Majewski had mixed emotions.

“The coaching part is bittersweet,” he said. “I’m in a no-win situation. I do well, I have upset guys at home. If they do well, I’m kind of ‘I could have done better.’

“Obviously, you’re cheering for them, even during the game. I’m coaching, and he kicks the ball away, and I’m yelling, ‘What the heck are you doing?’ And the other coach is probably like, “Why are you talking to my players?’”

Gavin Majewski talked about his impressive career after the game.

“It’s obviously a gift,” he said. “I’m very grateful that I’ve had the opportunity to do this. I get to play with my brother, which is a very fortunate treat that not a lot of people get. So I’m very thankful that he’s talented as he is to play with me.”

Nolan Majewski, a varsity rookie, feels similarly about playing with his older brother.

“Obviously, it’s a blessing,” Nolan Majewski said. “I remember being a kid, like sixth, seventh grade, thinking like, ‘Man, one day I hope I can get the opportunity to play with him.’

“I see him play at a high level out there. I like how he controls the ball, how aggressive he is, how he helps our team create. It’s amazing to see how far he’s come from the backyard when we were young kids to seeing him now getting ready to go off to college.”

Gavin Majewski will be the first Division I player in his family. Does that mean he’s also the best?

“We’ll see,” he said. “I’m looking forward to the next four years, and hopefully I can prove myself there as I’ve proved myself here.”

Lukasz Majewski is looking forward to being a fan.

“That’s my favorite part, when I get to watch them play instead of coaching, because you get a chance to appreciate it and just kind of shut up,” he said. “We have conversations, and I push, I drive — maybe sometimes too hard. Mom is there to kind of pick up the pieces.

“Now knowing that I get a chance to watch him for another four years in college, it’s nice.”