GUELPH, Ont. –
Jace Kotsopoulos entered this season as one of the most dangerous goal-scoring threats in U SPORTS men's soccer. And the fourth-year Economics major from Burlington, ON has more than lived up to the billing. After producing the most prolific offensive stretch of his decorated Gryphon career, Kotsopoulos has been named U SPORTS Male Athlete of the Month for September.
The Guelph hit man currently leads all U SPORTS men's players with 14 goals this season, many of which have been critical to securing points for the No. 8-ranked Gryphons. And the majority of them came in a memorable September. Kotsopoulos scored a brace in five of his seven matches last month, finishing with 11 goals overall. He also became the University of Guelph men's all-time leading scorer when he bagged both goals in the Gryphons' 2-0 win over McMaster on Sept. 9. Kotsopoulos had 48 goals to that point, needing one to tie Guelph's all-time leader
Robbie Murphy at 49. He got it in the 75
th minute, heading a ball home from inside the area. But Kotsopoulos wasn't done. He established the new school record six minutes later when he took a through ball from teammate Jon Amoo, held off a defender on his shoulder, and coolly finished with his left foot into the bottom corner of the McMaster net.
Kotsopoulos embraces the opportunity to deliver in the big moments, a standout on a strong Guelph team in contention for top spot in the OUA West. Head coach
Keith Mason said that Kotsopoulos
has developed into an "all-around player and all-around person," a grounded student-athlete who never gets too high or too low but just does his job.
"Jace had an incredible month," said Mason. "Not only is he leading the OUA and U SPORTS top goal scorers with 14 but he also broke the all-time Gryphon scoring record, which in itself, shows what a phenomenal striker he is. And that is after three and a half seasons. He's a humble human being. Long may it continue. Hopefully there are more records to break and trophies to win.
"He's been a pleasure to coach. He is without a doubt one of the top U SPORTS players I have ever coached."
