At the young age of 11, Matt experienced a life-altering car accident that resulted in the amputation of his right leg below the knee.
Interestingly, he wasn’t immediately aware of the loss until a day and a half after the accident.
Remarkably, his first question upon learning about his leg was, “When can I get back to playing lacrosse again?”
This resilient mindset and unwavering determination have propelled him to an extraordinary lacrosse career, culminating in his exceptional 2023 season with the Ephs.
Matt started all 18 games in 2023 and emerged as a standout performer, leading the NESCAC in goals against average (9.97) and save percentage (.582). He ranked second in saves per game, with an impressive average of 13.69, and recorded a total of 245 saves throughout the season.
In recognition of his outstanding abilities, Matt was not only named the NCAA Division III Goalie of the Year but also received esteemed accolades such as USILA First Team All-American, First Team All-NESCAC honors, and New England Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (NEILA) First Team recognition.
Before embarking on his illustrious collegiate career at Williams, Matt’s journey in goalkeeping began at the age of nine. Like many goalies who are drawn to the position, he wasn’t particularly fond of running, but the opportunity to lead his teammates from between the pipes captivated him and sparked his passion for the position.
His mother made a deal with him at the time—before he could officially step into goal, Matt had to face tennis balls thrown by his mom and younger brother in the backyard. If he flinched, he wouldn’t be allowed to play. Needless to say, Matt focused his determination and eventually embraced the role of a goalie wholeheartedly.
Following his accident, being able to remain involved in the sport meant the world to Matt, and the support he received from his teammates served as a tremendous source of motivation to return to the field.
Rather than succumbing to fear when faced with the prospect of relearning how to be an athlete, Matt approached the challenge with excitement, fully aware of the arduous journey ahead. It was during this time that the dream of playing college lacrosse was born.
During the podcast episode, Matt shares the profound significance of lacrosse in his life and the invaluable lessons it has taught him about overcoming obstacles. His story serves as an important inspiration for young athletes facing their own challenges and setbacks.
I trust you’ll find this remarkable episode with Matt Freitas truly captivating and inspiring.
P.S. - Whenever you're ready, here are 3 ways I can help you:
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Lacrosse is my passion! The game has given me so much and this blog is my way of giving back to the lax community. Specifically the most bad a$$ part of that community - the goalies! After learning to play goalie from scratch, I wanted to create a site where I could share what I learned with others so they too can become champions in the crease and in life. Learn more about Coach Damon.
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