Matthew Vowinkel

Matthew Vowinkel (born January 29, 1999) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a forward.

Matthew Vowinkel

Personal information
Full name	Matthew Vowinkel
Date of birth	(1999-01-29) January 29, 1999 (age 26)
Place of birth	New Hyde Park, New York, United States
Height	1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position(s)	Forward
Youth career
2009–2012	New Hyde Park Wildcats
2012–2015	Albertson SC
2015–2017	Massapequa SC
College career
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2017–2021	Hofstra Pride	89	(42)
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2019	Westchester Flames	7	(1)
2022	Long Island Rough Riders	12	(11)
2022	NY Greek American
2023	One Knoxville	18	(0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of October 18, 2023

Career

Youth

Vowinkel played four years of varsity soccer at Chaminade High School,^[1] helping the Flyers to back-to-back New York State championships. During that time at Chaminde, he was a two-time NSCAA All-American, CHSSA MVP, and championship game MVP, as well as New York State Gatorade Player of the Year in 2015, NSCHSAA New York State Player of the Year, Newsday Player of the Year, News12 Varsity Player of the Year in 2016, and a two-time all-state and NSCAA All-Region honoree. In total, Vowinkel played 85 high school games, tallying 86 goals and 28 assists.^[2] Vowinkel also played for three local sides over the span of nine years, New Hyde Park Wildcats, Albertson SC,^[3] and Massapequa SC where he helped the team win the ENYYSA State Cup in 2015 and 2016.^[4][5]

College and amateur

In 2017, Vowinkel attended Hofstra University to play college soccer.^[6] Over five seasons with the Pride, Vowinkel made 89 appearances, scoring 42 goals and tallying 16 assists. He was also voted to the Colonial Athletic Association All-Conference First Team three times over his college career, as well as First Team All-Atlantic Region in 2021.^[2]

While at college, Vowinkel also appeared in the USL League Two with Westchester Flames during their 2019 season, scoring one goal in his seven appearances.^[7]

Following college, Vowinkel entered the 2021 MLS SuperDraft and was selected 56th overall by FC Cincinnati.^[8][9][10] However, he wasn't signed by Cincinnati. He instead played in the USL League Two with Long Island Rough Riders, where his 15 goals in 17 appearances across the regular season and playoffs^[11] helped the team to the National Final, where they lost 2–1 to Ventura County Fusion.^[11][12][13] He also spent time with Eastern Premier Soccer League side NY Greek American, who he'd trained with prior to college.^[14][15]

Professional

On December 19, 2022, it was announced that Vowinkel would join USL League One side One Knoxville SC ahead of their inaugural season as a professional club in 2023.^{[16][17][18][19]} He made his professional debut on April 12, 2023, appearing as a 73rd-minute substitute during a 1–1 draw with Central Valley Fuego.^[20]