Matthew Freitas Named EMLCA Academic All-American
Matthew, a goalkeeper from Weymouth, will play at Williams College next spring after posting a .650 save percentage this season.
West Roxbury, Mass.— Catholic Memorial School lacrosse captain Mathew Freitas earned Academic All-American honors from the Eastern Massachusetts Lacrosse Coaches Association (EMLCA) last week.
Matthew, a goalkeeper from Weymouth, received the honor a few days after the Boston Globe named him a Para-Athlete All-Scholastic for the second consecutive season.
“As incredible as it is to win such a great honor, it means nothing without my teammates,” said Matthew, who lost his leg after a car crash at the age of 11.
“I’m a goalie, and the only way that I’m going to play well is with a great group of guys in front of me. I’m glad to get the recognition for all the hard work I’ve put in, but it just makes me proud of our team as a whole.”
Committed to play lacrosse at Williams College next spring, Matthew ended his senior season at CM with a .650 save percentage. He earned the PCA Triple Impact Competitor Scholarship, one of six New England recipients of the award, and served as CM’s senior class President.
Matthew, a three-year member of the CM Scholars Program and a member of the National Honor Society, graduated at the top of his class this past May. During his junior year, he led an independent student group of CM students to the Edward M. Kennedy Institute where he and his group constructed a Model Senate Simulation on the New Deal.
“In my 45 years as an educator, it is difficult for me to remember a student-athlete who embodies the qualities that make up the criteria for entrance into the National Honor Society– character, scholarship, leadership, and service—than Matthew,” said Mr. Thomas Beatty ’68, Principal of CM.
“Even more striking is his ability to inspire and motivate his fellow students to realize the importance of a path in life that is replete with these characteristics.”
During his time at CM, Matthew earned Eastern Massachusetts Lacrosse Coaches Association Sportsman of the Year, the Boston Cannons High School Hero Award, and the Boston Herald High School Hot Shot award. He served as the captain of the CM wrestling team during his senior year and earned the Massachusetts Wrestling Hall of Fame Wrestler’s Award.
“I wouldn’t be who I am today without CM, and I mean that athletically, academically, and morally,” said Matthew.
“This school is a place that I want to represent for the rest of my life with pride, and getting this award just adds to the pedigree that CM has provided me.”
Off the field and outside the classroom, Matthew participated in CM’s Peer Ministry Program. The program empowers students to oversee and coordinate fundraising efforts totaling $15,000 across various mission-related causes.
Matthew also served as a Senior Patrol Leader in his Boy Scout Troop. The Boys Scouts of America awarded its National Medal of Honor to Matthew for his efforts in assisting an injured hiker down Mt. Monadnock.
He thanked CM head lacrosse coach Mr. Matt Callahan, former CM lacrosse coaches Mr. Kevin Lynch and Mr. Dennis Lynch, and CM President Dr. Peter Folan for their roles in shaping his athletic and academic career.
Matthew also thanked his fellow CM goalkeeper Henry O’Brien, who Matthew says pushed him to “be better” while competing for the starting role for the past three years.
“This is a great way to end my CM career,” said Matthew.
“I will always be proud to be a Knight.”
Matthew, a goalkeeper from Weymouth, received the honor a few days after the Boston Globe named him a Para-Athlete All-Scholastic for the second consecutive season.
“As incredible as it is to win such a great honor, it means nothing without my teammates,” said Matthew, who lost his leg after a car crash at the age of 11.
“I’m a goalie, and the only way that I’m going to play well is with a great group of guys in front of me. I’m glad to get the recognition for all the hard work I’ve put in, but it just makes me proud of our team as a whole.”
Committed to play lacrosse at Williams College next spring, Matthew ended his senior season at CM with a .650 save percentage. He earned the PCA Triple Impact Competitor Scholarship, one of six New England recipients of the award, and served as CM’s senior class President.
Matthew, a three-year member of the CM Scholars Program and a member of the National Honor Society, graduated at the top of his class this past May. During his junior year, he led an independent student group of CM students to the Edward M. Kennedy Institute where he and his group constructed a Model Senate Simulation on the New Deal.
“In my 45 years as an educator, it is difficult for me to remember a student-athlete who embodies the qualities that make up the criteria for entrance into the National Honor Society– character, scholarship, leadership, and service—than Matthew,” said Mr. Thomas Beatty ’68, Principal of CM.
“Even more striking is his ability to inspire and motivate his fellow students to realize the importance of a path in life that is replete with these characteristics.”
During his time at CM, Matthew earned Eastern Massachusetts Lacrosse Coaches Association Sportsman of the Year, the Boston Cannons High School Hero Award, and the Boston Herald High School Hot Shot award. He served as the captain of the CM wrestling team during his senior year and earned the Massachusetts Wrestling Hall of Fame Wrestler’s Award.
“I wouldn’t be who I am today without CM, and I mean that athletically, academically, and morally,” said Matthew.
“This school is a place that I want to represent for the rest of my life with pride, and getting this award just adds to the pedigree that CM has provided me.”
Off the field and outside the classroom, Matthew participated in CM’s Peer Ministry Program. The program empowers students to oversee and coordinate fundraising efforts totaling $15,000 across various mission-related causes.
Matthew also served as a Senior Patrol Leader in his Boy Scout Troop. The Boys Scouts of America awarded its National Medal of Honor to Matthew for his efforts in assisting an injured hiker down Mt. Monadnock.
He thanked CM head lacrosse coach Mr. Matt Callahan, former CM lacrosse coaches Mr. Kevin Lynch and Mr. Dennis Lynch, and CM President Dr. Peter Folan for their roles in shaping his athletic and academic career.
Matthew also thanked his fellow CM goalkeeper Henry O’Brien, who Matthew says pushed him to “be better” while competing for the starting role for the past three years.
“This is a great way to end my CM career,” said Matthew.
“I will always be proud to be a Knight.”
Become a Man of Action at Catholic Memorial
CM prepares students for the rigors of college and beyond. While here, boys embark on service-learning opportunities, leadership development, and character formation programs inspiring them to become confident, courageous young men motivated to do good in the world.
List of 1 items.
-
Catholic Memorial
Catholic Memorial
235 Baker StreetWest Roxbury, MA 02132P. (617) 469-8000F. (617) 977-5689
About Us
Catholic Memorial, the Christian Brothers School of Boston, prepares boys for college, manhood and a world full of unknown challenges, ambiguity and complex problems and the importance of relationships.
