Lethbridge College’s top striker will be hard to replace after he averaged two goals a game last season.
Nico Pasquotti, second year engineering design and drafting student, spent two seasons with the Kodiaks soccer team.
He helped lead the team from a second to last finish last season, to an 8-1-1 mark this season, where the team went on to achieve a first place finish in the ACAC south division.
Pasquotti also led the nation in scoring this season as he managed to put the ball in the back of the net 19 times in 10 matches.
“I’ve always had a want to score, so for me it was what can you do to get the ball in the back of the net and you do whatever you have to do.”
His perseverance earned him the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association Men’s Soccer Player of the Year for 2015.
“I’m pretty proud to have won the award, I’ll be the first to say it wasn’t just me it was my team and coaches who really pushed to get me that achievement.”
Pasquotti was given the award on Nov. 10 at the 2015 CCAA Men’s Soccer National Championship banquet, in Saint-Lambert QC.
Head coach Michael Racz said Pasquotti will be a hard player to replace.
“Nico’s a really skilled player who pulls defenders away and makes space for other players. He’s also one of the hardest working guys on the team,” said Racz. “It’s easy, when you have a player like that. He’s always helping out, he works hard, he doesn’t complain, he just goes out there and gets the job done.”
Pasquotti was also named the 2015-16 Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) Men’s Soccer Player of the Year.
However, with the team placing second at provincials, it disqualified them from a chance at nationals.
Despite the disappointment, Pasquotti said the best advice he was given was to never give up.
“I know it sounds pretty cliché, but it’s something my parents have said all the time.”
Teammate Andre De Lacerda said they were really glad to have had him on the roster this year.
“Nico is a really great guy and also really talented on the field. He communicates pretty well and always tries to put the team up. He has great knowledge about the game which helps a lot.”
With graduation looming around the corner, Pasquotti said he’s not quite sure what comes next.
“Right now I don’t have anything set in stone, it’s more figuring out what to do with the rest of my life.”
