NLL Rochester Knighthawks

Knighthawks Matt Vinc Named IL Indoor's Goalie of the Year

Published on May 29, 2015 under National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Rochester Knighthawks News Release


Matt Vinc was named IL Indoor's NLL Goalie of the Year after another stellar season with the Rochester Knighthawks. Vinc edged Edmonton's Aaron Bold and Toronto's Brandon Miller for the award, which was determined by a panel of seven lacrosse experts from IL Indoor.

"It's an honor to win the award because so many of the candidates had unbelievable seasons," said Vinc. "I would much rather be in their shoes this weekend as they fight for the ultimate prize."

During the 2015 season, Vinc led the Knighthawks to a second place finish in the National Lacrosse League's East Division and a berth in the division finals. The St. Catharines, Ontario native posted a 10-6 record this season, while finishing tied for first in the league with an impressive .803 save percentage. He also was second in saves (655) and goals-against average (9.64). Defensively, Rochester limited opponents to a league-best 173 goals against.

In his 10th season in the NLL, Vinc hit two goaltending milestones. On March 14th, he became only the sixth goalie in NLL history to reach 5,000 career saves. Then on April 18th, he recorded his 3,000th save as a Knighthawk. He also picked up some hardware along the way, earning the Democrat & Chronicle Pro Athlete of the Year award and capturing the Team MVP award for the third time in his career.

Rochester forward Joe Walters conveyed the impact Vinc has had on the franchise since he arrived in a trade in the fall of 2010.

"He's been the backbone of our team since he came to the Knighthawks," he said. "When we need a big save, we can count on "?Vno.'"

Vinc is one of the most decorated goalies in the history of the NLL, accumulating a league-record four NLL Goaltender of the Year awards (2010-11, 2013-14). He has also become accustomed to raising the Champion's Cup. Behind his outstanding goaltending, Rochester became the first team in league history to win three straight championships (2012-14). In the 2013 and 2014 Finals, it was his last-second saves that preserved one-goal leads.

"We're able to play the defense that we want because "?Vno' allows us to be aggressive. If we make a mistake, he is there to bail us out every time," said Knighthawks defenseman Mike Kirk. "That's why we have had so much success over the past four years. He is the anchor of our defense."

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