Cavaliers Now

Awards Rolling in for Matthew Nunes After Exceptional Performance at Harvard

Matthew Newton|
Matthew Nunes looks to pass during the Virginia men's lacrosse game at Harvard.
Matthew Nunes looks to pass during the Virginia men's lacrosse game at Harvard. | Virginia Athletics

The last few days have been a well-deserved victory lap for Matthew Nunes, as he has raked in virtually every weekly award in existence in men's college lacrosse following his electrifying performance in Virginia's 13-10 comeback victory at Harvard on Saturday.

For three quarters, Nunes was virtually the only thing standing between the Cavaliers and an upset loss in their final non-conference game of the regular season, as he made 15 saves in the first three periods to prevent the Crimson from running away with the game. Even with Nunes standing on his head, Harvard built a lead as large as five goals and led by four early in the fourth quarter. Virginia's offense then finally came back to life, scoring four times to tie the game at 10-10 midway through the final period.

Then came the play of the game and one of the highlights of the year in college lacrosse as Nunes called his own number to clear the ball into the offensive end, then found a lane through the defense and scored at the front of the crease just as he was getting hit. The Cavalier bench erupted as the first goalie goal in the college career of Matthew Nunes gave Virginia the lead with less than five minutes left in regulation.

That goal ended up being the game-winner, as Virginia ended the game on a 7-0 run and went on to win 13-10. Nunes finished the game with 16 saves versus 10 goals allowed for a .615 save percentage, his fifth game with a saver percentage above 60%. He also had four ground balls and of course, the spectacular goalie goal that gave his team the lead and undoubtedly crushed the spirits of the Crimson.

It's been a challenge to keep up with the accolades Nunes has received this week, but we're going to try our best. USA Lacrosse named Nunes the Division I Player of the Week and Kenny DeJohn wrote this about Nunes to go along with the award:

"Tested against Harvard, Virginia needed every ounce it could get from its goalie last weekend. Every. Single. Ounce.

Nunes responded with 16 saves and the game-winning goal (not a typo) against the Crimson, as he went coast-to-coast for a goalie goal that gave the Hoos an 11-10 lead with 4:59 remaining.

He also made a save on the next Harvard possession to maintain the lead he worked so hard to earn."

Virginia men's lacrosse swept the ACC weekly awards, as Nunes was named the ACC Defensive Player of the Week for the second time this season and Payton Cormier was named the ACC Offensive Player of the Week for the second-consecutive week and the third time this season.

The Lacrosse Network also tabbed Nunes as its Player of the Week.

Inside Lacrosse, which releases its Player of the Week award on Wednesdays, takes fan voting into account and Nunes currently leads with 54.3% of the vote. Fans can participate in the voting in the Tweet below.

Winners of six-straight games, Nunes and the Cavaliers will look to keep the ball rolling in ACC play, which opens on Saturday as Virginia hosts North Carolina at 12pm at Klockner Stadium.

Published | Modified
Matt Newton
MATTHEW NEWTON

Matt launched Virginia Cavaliers On SI in August of 2021 and has since served as the site's publisher and managing editor, covering all 23 NCAA Division I sports teams at the University of Virginia. He is from Downingtown, Pennsylvania and graduated from UVA in May of 2021.

Share on XFollow mattynewtss
Home/Lacrosse