Knote, Rodgers, Dowd Named USA Lacrosse Men's Players of the Week

This season, USA Lacrosse will celebrate the accomplishments of players across Divisions I, II and III each Tuesday with Player of the Week recognition. Players of the Week are selected by USA Lacrosse Magazine staff and contributors based off a variety of factors, including individual performance and impact on team success.

DIVISION I

MATT KNOTE, UMASS

UMass probably doesn’t beat Army without Matt Knote. Simple as that. The senior goalie made 19 saves and allowed only eight goals in a 10-8 win and also collected four ground balls.

It was redemption for Knote. Last February against the Black Knights, he allowed 14 goals and made only eight saves in a 14-13 loss — granted against a much different Army opponent. Still, Knote flipped the script to get the Minutemen off to a 1-0 start in 2023.

Knote is a two-time CAA first-team goalie with aspirations for more recognition this spring.

DIVISION II

MATTHEW RODGERS, ANDERSON

Anderson is one of the hottest Division II men’s teams in the country, going from unranked to No. 14 in yesterday’s Nike/USA Lacrosse Top 20 update. Matthew Rodgers, a freshman, was critical to Anderson’s upset of Florida Southern, notching eight goals and one assist in the contest. Then, in a win over Embry-Riddle, Rodgers scored two more goals.

And not that his performance on February 4 bumps his accolades for this week, but he dropped 11 goals on Chowan in a 32-goal outburst.

Not bad for a freshman.

DIVISION III

JACK DOWD, SALISBURY

One of a few teams to get going in Division III, Salisbury earned a win over Roanoke this past weekend. Senior midfielder Jack Dowd was pivotal to that win, as he recorded six goals (on 14 shots) and three assists. It was a nice recovery from his first game, a win over Berry in which he was held scoreless on four shot attempts.

A 6-5 athlete in the midfield, Dowd is one of the best Division III has to offer.