Virginia’s Matthew Nunes, Top Incoming Freshman Goalie in the Nation – LGR Episode 131
By Coach Damon
February 16, 2022
After 2x NCAA Championship goalie Alex Rode graduated this past season there was a clear competition to be had for the starting goalie position at Virginia.
That’s until the No. 1 goalie and No. 5 overall prospect in the nation according to Inside Lacrosse’s Power 100 Incoming Freshmen Rankings stepped on campus in Charlottesville.
Matt Nunes earned the starting job for the Cavaliers heading into the 2022 season and has certainly had quite the impression on his coach Lars Tiffany.
“Matt has made the transition from high school to college as seamless as possible due to an exceptional work ethos, focus, and talent. Quick hands and footwork allow him to make brow-raising saves. A student of the game in the truest sense, he is leaning on Kip Turner and film work in his quest to be a starter as a first-year.”
Nunes is definitely is solidifying his coach’s decisions by making highlight-reel saves like the walk-off save he had this past weekend to help secure the win for Virginia over High Point.
Matt looks to follow an elite line of goalies who’ve played at Virginia such as Rode, Tillman Johnson, Kip Turner, Adam Ghitelmen and help lead the Cavaliers back to another NCAA Championship.
Unlike many elite players who come from Long Island, Baltimore, or other traditional lacrosse hotbeds, Matt grew up in The Woodlands, Texas, and played his high school lacrosse for the Woodlands High School.
However, this hasn’t stopped him from receiving a lot of attention as Nunes has collected quite the resume of accolades prior to his arrival at Virginia including:
- No. 3 overall prospect and No. 1 goalie in the nation, according to Inside Lacrosse
- Two-time Team MVP
- 2021 All-District MVP
- Cody Soder Award winner for two years
- 2021 US All-American
- 2021 Under Armor All-American
- 2021 National All-Star Game Member
- 2018 state champion
- Three-time City Champion (2018-19, 2021)
Matthew joins the show today to discuss how he got started in goal, the pressure of being the #1 goalie recruit in the nation, earning the starting job at Virginia, and much more!
Show Notes
YouTube Interview with Matthew Nunes
Pics / Videos of Matthew Nunes
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