Matthew Nunes
Matthew Nunes Pronunciation
TIFFANY ON NUNES
2023 – “What a first year Matt had here in Charlottesville as our starting goalie. Anytime our staff is asked about rookie jitters or young mistakes we had to endure from our goalie in 2022, we have been perplexed by the question: we saw nothing of its kind. Matt took ownership of the crease and his end of the field, and his strength of character and steadfast play gave the men in front of him more confidence. Could Matt become a bit comfortable as an athlete after such a strong start? The reality is just the opposite: the man loves seeing extra shots and watching film with Kip Turner.” 2022 –”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.”
2023
- USILA Team of the Week (May 2)
- ACC Defensive Player of the Week (May 2)
- Recorded a career-best 19 saves in his second win of the season over No. 1 Notre Dame (April 30)
- Added career-high eight ground balls in the Cavaliers’ second game against the Irish
- Made a then-career high of 17 saves at No. 2 Duke (April 15)
- ACC Academic Honor Roll
2022
- ACC Freshman of the Year (May 12)
- VaSID Rookie of the Year & All-State Team (June 29)
- Started in 15 of UVA’s 16 games and logged 831:27 in net
- Recorded a UVA freshman-record 159 saves
- Averaged 11.55 goals-against per game
- Registered double-digit saves in eight of his 15 appearances
- Tied his season high of 16 saves in UVA’s NCAA Tournament First Round win at eighth-seeded Brown (May 15)
- First UVA freshman goalie to win an NCAA Tournament game since 1999 (May 15)
- ACC Co-Defensive Player of the Week (April 12)
- ACC Defensive Player of the Week (March 29)
- USILA Team-of-the-Week selection (March 29)
- Made 14 saves and only allowed five goals in 58:22 vs. Notre Dame (March 26)
- ACC Defensive Player of the Week (Feb. 15)
- Notched 16 saves, including one with 20 seconds left, to help Virginia fend off High Point (Feb. 13)
- Made eight saves and earned his first career win in his first career start in UVA’s season-opening win over Air Force (Feb. 5)
- Ranked the No. 1 goalie and No. 5 overall prospect in the nation according to Inside Lacrosse’s Power 100 Incoming Freshmen Rankings
High school
- 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)
Personal
- Son of Robin and Chris Nunes
- Sister Mackenzie Nunes players volleyball for Springfield College
- Majoring in Government with a Minor in Leadership
- Enjoys skiing, fishing, biking, and playing basketball and beach volleyball
- Recipient of the 2022-23 Thomas C. Rixey Endowed Memorial Lacrosse Scholarship