Navy Lacrosse Goalie Matt Russell: A Legendary Career

Who was Matt Russell and why was he considered one of Navy’s most decorated lacrosse players. How did Russell’s performance in goal contribute to Navy’s success in the mid-2000s. What awards and honors did Russell earn during his collegiate lacrosse career.

Table of Contents

Matt Russell’s Rise to Stardom in Navy Lacrosse

Matt Russell’s journey to becoming one of Navy’s most decorated lacrosse players is a testament to his skill, dedication, and resilience. Initially entering the 2004 season as a backup goalkeeper, Russell’s exceptional performance quickly earned him the starting position. His rapid ascent from reserve to star player demonstrates the impact a talented goalie can have on a team’s success.

Russell’s sophomore season in 2004 was nothing short of remarkable. He finished the year ranked second in the nation in goals-against average, allowing just 6.69 goals per game. This stellar performance placed him among the elite goalkeepers in college lacrosse, with only one other player in the country conceding fewer than seven goals per outing.

Key Achievements in 2004

Named First-Team All-American
Recipient of the Kelly Award (nation’s top goalkeeper)
Co-recipient of the Lt. Robert T. Bianchi Award (Navy’s Most Valuable Player)
Ranked 2nd nationally in goals-against average (6.69)

Russell’s impact on Navy’s defense was immediate and profound. After being inserted into the starting lineup against North Carolina, the Midshipmen embarked on a nine-game winning streak, tying the program’s longest in its 90-plus year history. This run included a memorable 9-6 victory over top-ranked Maryland, marking Navy’s first documented win against a #1 ranked team.

Continued Excellence: Russell’s Junior and Senior Seasons

Building on his breakout sophomore campaign, Matt Russell continued to excel in his junior and senior years. His consistent performances in goal solidified his reputation as one of the nation’s premier lacrosse goalkeepers.

2005 Season Highlights

Second-Team All-American
First-Team All-Patriot League
Patriot League Goalkeeper of the Year
Nation’s second-best goals-against average (6.69)
55.8% save percentage
276 saves (11th on Navy’s all-time save list)

Russell’s junior year was marked by consistency and excellence. He allowed double-digit goals in only two games throughout the entire season, showcasing his ability to keep Navy competitive against top-tier opponents. His performance in Patriot League play was particularly impressive, boasting a 5.77 goals-against average.

The goalkeeper’s resilience was on full display during the 2005 NCAA Tournament. Despite suffering a severe ankle injury just 48 hours before a crucial game against Maryland, Russell defied medical advice and delivered a stellar 10-save performance to secure the win for Navy.

Russell’s Impact on Navy Lacrosse Program

Matt Russell’s contributions to the Navy lacrosse program extended far beyond his individual accolades. His presence in goal provided a foundation upon which the team’s success was built during the mid-2000s.

Team Achievements During Russell’s Tenure

Multiple NCAA Tournament appearances
Consistent national ranking
Dominance in Patriot League play
Victories over top-ranked opponents

Russell’s ability to make crucial saves in high-pressure situations often swung momentum in Navy’s favor. His leadership and consistency between the pipes allowed the Midshipmen’s offense to play with confidence, knowing they had a reliable last line of defense.

The Art of Goaltending: Russell’s Technique and Mindset

What made Matt Russell such an effective goalkeeper? His success can be attributed to a combination of physical skills, mental toughness, and a deep understanding of the game.

Key Elements of Russell’s Goaltending Style

Quick reflexes and hand-eye coordination
Excellent positioning and angle play
Strong communication with defenders
Ability to read opposing offenses and anticipate shots
Mental resilience in high-pressure situations

Russell’s approach to goaltending emphasized not only stopping shots but also initiating offensive transitions. His ability to make accurate outlet passes after saves often led to fast-break opportunities for Navy, turning defense into instant offense.

Russell’s Legacy in Navy Lacrosse History

As one of Navy’s most decorated lacrosse players, Matt Russell left an indelible mark on the program’s history. His numerous accolades and consistent excellence place him among the greatest goalkeepers to don the Navy uniform.

Career Achievements and Records

26-5 career record as a starter
Multiple All-American selections
Two-time recipient of the Lt. Robert T. Bianchi Award
Kelly Award winner
Multiple First-Team All-Patriot League selections
Patriot League Goalkeeper of the Year

Russell’s impact extended beyond his playing days, setting a new standard for goalkeeping excellence at Navy. His performances inspired future generations of Midshipmen lacrosse players and solidified Navy’s reputation as a program that produces top-tier talent.

The Importance of Goaltending in Lacrosse Success

Matt Russell’s career at Navy underscores the critical role that a dominant goalkeeper can play in a team’s success. In lacrosse, perhaps more than in any other sport, the goalie serves as both the last line of defense and the first line of offense.

Ways a Top Goalie Impacts the Game

Prevents goals and maintains team morale
Directs the defense and organizes the backline
Initiates fast breaks with accurate outlet passes
Provides a psychological edge over opposing shooters
Stabilizes the team during opponent scoring runs

Russell’s ability to excel in all these areas made him a true game-changer for Navy. His presence in goal often allowed the Midshipmen to punch above their weight against more highly-ranked opponents, as evidenced by victories over top programs like Maryland.

Analyzing Russell’s Statistical Dominance

A closer look at Matt Russell’s statistics reveals the full extent of his dominance in goal for Navy. His consistent performance across multiple seasons set him apart from his peers and established him as one of the nation’s elite goalkeepers.

Key Career Statistics

Career goals-against average: 6.69
Save percentage: 55.8%
Total saves: 276+ (11th on Navy’s all-time list)
Games with double-digit saves: Multiple, including 13 against Delaware in NCAA Tournament

Russell’s ability to maintain such a low goals-against average while facing high-caliber opposition is particularly impressive. His save percentage of 55.8% demonstrates his skill in making difficult stops, often in crucial moments of the game.

The goalkeeper’s performance in Patriot League play was especially noteworthy. With a 5.77 goals-against average in conference matchups, Russell gave Navy a significant advantage in these important games, contributing to the team’s success within the league.

Russell’s Influence on Navy’s Defensive Strategy

Matt Russell’s exceptional skills in goal allowed Navy’s coaching staff to implement more aggressive defensive strategies. Knowing they had a reliable last line of defense, the Midshipmen’s close defenders could take more risks in challenging opposing attackers.

Defensive Adaptations with Russell in Goal

More aggressive close defending
Increased pressure on ball carriers
Willingness to push transition opportunities
Flexibility in defensive formations

This symbiotic relationship between Russell and his defenders resulted in Navy boasting the nation’s second-ranked scoring defense during his tenure. The trust and communication between the goalkeeper and his defensive unit created a formidable barrier for opposing offenses to overcome.

Russell’s ability to make saves from various angles and distances allowed Navy’s defenders to focus on disrupting offensive setups rather than constantly worrying about shot blocking. This freedom often led to turnovers and transition opportunities, further enhancing the team’s overall performance.

Comparing Russell to Other Navy Lacrosse Greats

While Matt Russell’s achievements stand on their own, it’s worth considering his place among other legendary Navy lacrosse players, particularly fellow goalkeepers.

Notable Navy Lacrosse Goalkeepers

Mickey Jarboe (1997-2000): Two-time Kelly Award winner
Dennis Wedekind (1963-1965): Three-time First-Team All-American
Matt Russell (2004-2006): Kelly Award winner, multiple All-American selections

Russell’s accomplishments place him firmly in the conversation as one of Navy’s all-time great goalkeepers. His Kelly Award win in 2004 put him in elite company, as only the fifth Navy player to receive this honor. The fact that he achieved this level of success in just three years as a starter makes his achievements even more remarkable.

While it’s challenging to compare players from different eras directly, Russell’s impact on the Navy program during his time rivals that of any other player in the team’s storied history. His combination of individual accolades and team success cements his legacy as a true Navy lacrosse legend.

Matt Russell’s career at Navy serves as a shining example of how one player can elevate an entire program. His journey from backup to All-American demonstrates the power of perseverance and talent. Russell’s legacy continues to inspire current and future Navy lacrosse players, setting a standard of excellence that will endure for years to come.

Matt Russell – Men’s Lacrosse

Schedule

Composite Calendar

2006 Men’s Lacrosse Roster

Stats

Historical

Biography

2006 Face-Off Preseason First-Team All-American
2005 Second-Team All-American
2005 Patriot League Goalkeeper of the Year
2005 Face-Off Preseason First-Team All-American
2004 First-Team All-American
2004 Kelly Award Winner
2004, [apos]05 First-Team All-Patriot League

Russell in 2005:
One of Navy[apos]s most decorated players, was named a Second-Team All-American, a First-Team All-Patriot League selection and the Patriot League Goalkeeper of the Year . .. for the second-straight year, he, along with Jon Birsner, was the recipient of the Lt. Robert T. Bianchi Award, presented to Navy[apos]s most valuable player … owns a 26-5 career record … owned the nation[apos]s second-best goals-against average of 6.69, allowing 106 goals in nearly 952 minutes of play … stopped 55.8 percent of the shots his opponents put on goal … with 276 saves, he is ranked 11th on the Mids[apos] all-time save list … owned a 5.77 GAA in Patriot League play, giving up 34 goals, while making 49 saves … gave up double-digit goals just twice, 11 against Georgetown and 10 against Virginia … had a great NCAA Tournament, making a combined 25 saves in two games, including a season-high 13 stops against Delaware in the first round … suffered a severe ankle injury 48 hours before the Maryland game … at 1 p.m. on the day of the game, doctors advised Russell against playing … trainer Ray Chronister helped treat Russell[apos]s ailing ankle to get him ready for the Terrapins . .. made 10 saves in the win against the Terps … twice named the Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week … earned the honor Feb. 28 after a pair of wins over Providence and nationally-ranked Ohio State and again on March 22, following the Mids[apos] victories over Lafayette and Colgate … picked up 46 ground balls, including a career-high eight against Virginia in the NCAA Tournament.

2004:
Entered the season as a backup keeper to Seth DiNola and ended the season not only as Navy[apos]s starter, but as a First-Team All-American and recipient of the 2004 Kelly Award, honoring the nation[apos]s top goalkeeper … the fifth Navy player to win the Kelly Award and the first since Mickey Jarboe claimed the award in 1999 and `00 … the Mids[apos] first First-Team All-American since Jarboe donned the honor in the same years he won the Kelly Award … alongside teammate Steve Looney, was awarded the coveted Lt. Robert T. Bianchi Award as Navy[apos]s Co-Most Valuable Player . .. ranked No. 2 in the nation in goals-against average, allowing just 6.69 goals per game … one of only two players (Brendan Callahan, Stony Brook) in the country to give up fewer than seven goals per outing … combined with Navy[apos]s close defensemen to become the nation[apos]s second-ranked scoring defense … played the final-30 minutes of the season opener at Lafayette where he gave up one goal and saved three shots on goal … used as a riding attackman against Ohio State, but did not see action in the cage … following Navy[apos]s 12-9 loss to the Buckeyes, he was inserted into the starting line-up against North Carolina … the change in goal turned the tide for the Mids, as they won nine-consecutive games, including a 9-6 victory over Maryland, Navy[apos]s first documented win over a top-ranked team … Navy[apos]s nine-game winning streak tied as the program[apos]s longest in its 90-plus year history … suffered his only loss of the season against No. 1-ranked Johns Hopkins . .. guided Navy through the NCAA Tournament, defeating Ivy League foes Penn, Cornell and Princeton … forced to leave the National Championship Game against Syracuse with eight minutes remaining in the contest due to a broken collarbone … played for more than a quarter with the injury before succumbing with the game tied at 11-11 … made double-digit saves in seven contests, including a career-high 14 saves against fourth-ranked Georgetown … with 142 career saves, he ranks 18th on Navy[apos]s all-time saves list … needs 33 saves to pass two-time Kelly Award winner Dennis Wedekind … faced a career-high 46 shots against North Carolina in a game that Russell credits as the most important game of his career … garnered First-Team All-Patriot League recognition after posting a 6.02 GAA and .535 save percentage … finished the league season undefeated at 6-0 … credited with 58 grounders which tied (Dan Sullivan `95, Will Reynolds `94) for the 14th most in a Navy single season.

2003:
Served the majority of his freshman campaign as a back-up to starting keeper Seth DiNola . .. earned 15 minutes of action against NCAA Tournament runner-up Johns Hopkins … allowed one goal, while making a pair of saves … faced seven shots against the Blue Jays … picked up three ground balls.

Personal:
A 2001 graduate of Fairfield College Prepatory School … a two-time All-American and four-year letterwinner in lacrosse, while also lettering two years in soccer … led Fairfield Prep to the Connecticut Division I state championship final in 2001 and two Southern Connecticut Conference titles as a prep … served as lacrosse team captain his junior and senior seasons … named team MVP his senior campaign … a three-time All-Southern Connecticut Conference honoree, while being named all-state twice … named Inside Lacrosse[apos]s National High School Player of the Week in April of 2000 … named county MVP three times by the New Haven Register … earned academic all-conference recognition in soccer as a senior … named to the Commandant[apos]s List four times at the Academy, while earning Superintendent[apos]s List recognition in the fall . .. older brother, Rob, played and served twice as lacrosse captain at St. Lawrence University and was drafted by the Philadelphia Barrage of the MLL …younger brother, Kevin, plays for St. Lawrence on attack and was named the 2005 Liberty League Rookie of the Year … son of Bob and Katy Russell.

Up Close With Russell
Full Name — Matthew Mackay Russell
Hometown — Madison, Conn. (Fairfield College Prep)
Born — Dec. 19, 1982, in Pittsburgh, Pa.
Major — International Relations
Service Assignment — Special Warfare

Statistics

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Season Statistics

No statistics available for this season.

Career Statistics

There are no statistics available for this player.

Historical Player Information

16

2005Junior

Goalkeeper

5’7″

154 lbs

16

16

2006Senior

Goalkeeper

5’7″

156 lbs

16

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