Matthew Nunes returned to the University of Virginia in June 2026 as an assistant coach, where he works with the Cavaliers' defense and oversees the program's goalkeepers.
A four-year starting goalkeeper for Virginia from 2022-25, Nunes joined the coaching ranks following one season as an assistant coach at Fairfield during the 2025-26 academic year.
One of the most accomplished goalkeepers in program history, Nunes concluded his playing career ranked second on Virginia's all-time saves list with 657. He appeared in 64 career games, including 57 starts, and posted a 39-18 record with a 51.6 save percentage. His 39 career victories are tied for third in program history.
Nunes enjoyed a standout career in Charlottesville, highlighted by a record-setting 2023 campaign in which he established Virginia's single-season saves record with 213 stops while helping lead the Cavaliers to Championship Weekend. In 2022, he was named ACC Freshman of the Year after setting the program's freshman saves record with 159 and recording double-digit saves in eight appearances. He also became Virginia's first freshman goalkeeper to win an NCAA Tournament game since 1999 when he matched his season high with 16 saves in the Cavaliers' first-round victory at Brown.
Off the field, Nunes earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in politics from Virginia and was a two-time All-ACC Academic Team selection (2024-25). He was also the recipient of the Thomas C. Rixey Endowed Scholarship, which is presented annually to a member of the men's lacrosse program who exemplifies hard work, enthusiasm and leadership.
Nunes was actively involved in the Charlottesville community during his time as a student-athlete, serving as co-director of the Will Barrow Memorial Fundraiser and helping raise more than $100,000 in support of the UVA Help Line and Harlem Lacrosse.