MSOC: Fraser Valley's Mateo Brazinha repeats as Player of the Year

Oct. 29, 2025 - For the second straight season, Fraser Valley’s Mateo Brazinha has been named Canada West men’s soccer Player of the Year.

The dynamic fourth-year forward from Port Coquitlam, B.C. delivered another outstanding campaign for the Cascades, leading the conference with 13 goals in 13 regular season games and finishing tied for the U SPORTS lead in points with 15.

Brazinha’s performance powered Fraser Valley to a strong season, finishing third in the Pacific Division with a 7-4-4 record. The Cascades advanced to the semifinals after a 2-0 quarterfinal win over Calgary, before falling 1-0 in a heartbreaker to undefeated UBC last Sunday.

The conference announced its complete list of major award winners Wednesday. UBC was well represented, with two major award recipients. Eric Lajeunesse was named Defensive Player of the Year, while Thunderbirds head coach Mike Mosher was recognized as Coach of the Year after guiding his team to a historic undefeated season.

Chanan Chanda's dynamic debut for Mount Royal earned him Rookie of the Year honours, while MacEwan’s T-Boy Fayia earned the Student-Athlete Community Service Award for his outstanding leadership and commitment to youth mentorship.

MAJOR AWARD WINNERS

PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Mateo Brazinha (UFV Cascades)

Forward | Fourth Year | Port Coquitlam, B.C

Mateo Brazinha proved again this season why he is the most dangerous offensive player in Canada West. The Cascades striker battled back from preseason injuries to score 13 goals in 13 regular season games, while adding a pair of assists, to lead U SPORTS in points and finish first in conference goals.

The talismanic striker becomes the first player in UFV history to earn Canada West Player of the Year honours for a second time, and the first since UBC’s Aaron Richer in 2002 and 2003 to win back-to-back Canada West Player of the Year recognition.

“It’s an unbelievable achievement for Mateo to go back-to-back as the player of the year. It’s fully deserved. He’s scored a lot of big goals for us, and he is a true leader in our program. He’s a great player, a great kid, and probably the best player in UFV Athletics history, so I’m just really delighted for him. I’m so proud of him and what he has been able to achieve over the past couple of years.” – UFV Head Coach Tom Lowndes

"I'm extremely happy for Mateo to be able to earn this award for the second consecutive year. He's been a great representative of the Cascades throughout his four years here so far, and someone who is respected by his teammates both on and off the field. This is a massive achievement that doesn't only reflect the great season he has had, but also exemplifies the hard work and achievements of all his teammates that have trained and battled by his side, the tireless effort of the support staff that have helped him through challenges all season, and the unending support of those around him." – UFV Athletic Director Nick Sirski

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Eric Lajeunesse (UBC Thunderbirds)

Defender | Fourth Year | Ottawa, Ont.

There has not been a steadier, more reliable rock for the UBC Thunderbirds over the past number of years than Eric Lajeunesse.

A two-time All-Canadian and U SPORTS Rookie of the Year Award winner in 2022, the Ottawa native can take a large share of responsibility for the Thunderbirds allowing a conference-low eight goals against this season while also going undefeated with nine clean sheets.

Playing every minute of every game in 2025 for the defending national champion T-Birds, Lajeunesse has also helped lead UBC to a pair of clean sheet playoff victories, punching their ticket into a tenth consecutive Canada West final along with a berth at the upcoming national championship tournament.

A notable piece for Pacific FC of the CPL once again this past summer, Lajeunesse was also named a 2024 U SPORTS tournament All-Star after helping the ‘Birds to their first national title in 11 years.

“Obviously he’s been terrific each and every year he’s been here, but this year in particular has been a completely different level. He’s been outstanding. Without a doubt, he’s our MVP and sometimes defenders don’t often get their due but I would see Eric as perhaps the MVP of the entire country, he’s that good.”

“He’s evolved from a first-year guy who was extremely quiet and it’s in his nature to be a little bit quieter for sure, but now he’s got a real presence within the locker room and with the group. He’s that guy when he speaks, he’s got the attention of the guys. His habits which are as good as any player I’ve ever had. His habits are just excellent, his habits and his intelligence.” - UBC Head Coach Mike Mosher

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Chanan Chanda (Mount Royal Cougars)

Forward | First Year | Calgary, Alta.

In his first season with the Cougars, forward Chanan Chanda made an immediate impact, emerging as a key offensive force and helping Mount Royal finish atop the Prairie Division standings.

The Calgary product started all 14 regular season games he appeared in, establishing himself as a constant threat in the attacking third. Chanda recorded eight goals and three assists—ranking tied for third in Canada West in both goals and total points.

His breakout campaign earned him recognition as both a Canada West Second Team All-Star and a member of the All-Rookie Team.

“Truly delighted for Chanan - such an incredible young man who puts in the work every single day to be better, both as a player and as a person. His work ethic is second to none. The experience he’s gained with Cavalry has really shown this season and helped both him and our team grow. What’s equally impressive, or perhaps more impressive, is how he’s applied himself academically. We’re so proud to have a young man and player like him wearing the blue and white of MRU.” – MRU Head Coach Ryan Gyaki

STUDENT-ATHLETE COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD: T-Boy Fayia (MacEwan Griffins)

Third Year | Defender | Monrovia, Liberia

From the moment he joined the Griffins, T-Boy Fayia has embodied the values of leadership, perseverance, and service — using sport as a tool to uplift others and give back to the community that helped shape him.

T-Boy currently serves as head coach of the Wolves U15 Boys Soccer Team through the Free Play for Kids program, an after-school initiative supporting children from low-income, newcomer, and high-risk backgrounds. With a roster of 18 players, he dedicates countless hours both on and off the field—leading training sessions twice a week, managing games, and helping players navigate registration and day-to-day logistics.

His story is one of full-circle impact. A graduate of the same Free Play program he now coaches in, T-Boy rose through the ranks to join the Vancouver Whitecaps Academy and later played professionally with FC Edmonton in the Canadian Premier League. When the club ceased operations, he continued his soccer journey with the MacEwan University men’s program, balancing academic goals with athletic pursuits.

Beyond coaching, T-Boy is working toward a career in law enforcement, driven by a desire to serve and protect his community with the same commitment he shows on the pitch. His lived experience, professional journey, and dedication to mentorship have made him an inspiring role model for the young athletes he leads. Under his guidance, the Wolves U15 team competed at the Tier 3 Provincial Championships this summer - a testament to the resilience, growth, and belief he has instilled in his players.

On the field, Fayia has established himself as an elite two-way player, using his electric speed at the fullback position to both shut down the top attackers in Canada West and get forward to create scoring opportunities. His work was behind many of the Griffins' goals this past season, even if it didn't show up on the stats sheet.

COACH OF THE YEAR: Mike Mosher (UBC Thunderbirds)

​ ​ ​ ​ • 30th Season

In his 30^th season at the helm of the UBC Thunderbirds men’s soccer program, head coach Mike Mosher accomplished something that had never been done in the history of Canada West: produce a 15-win, undefeated season.

Leading the defending conference and national champion Thunderbirds into a tenth consecutive Canada West Final this weekend, Mosher’s squad led the conference this season with 44 goals, while also boasting a CW best eight against.

A former T-Bird player himself, Mosher has guided his team to five U SPORTS National Championship banners as a head coach, along with 12 Canada West titles - including six of the last seven. Racking up 249 total conference wins to date, this is Mosher’s fourth Canada West Coach of the Year nod, having last received the honour in 2015.

Consistently recruiting some of this country’s top U19 talent to Point Grey, Mosher has developed a winning culture that has borne fruit over his entire tenure with the Thunderbirds.

“Mike has proven time and again to be one of the greatest soccer coaches this country has produced. His championships and overall levels of success speak for themselves, as do the incredible number of program alumni who continue to make UBC proud as leaders in their own right both on and off the pitch. To set new win records in 2025 given all he has achieved over the past three decades plus with the Thunderbirds is a testament to his passion and dedication. We’re so very proud of Mike’s many achievements and excited for the many more yet to come. Go T-Birds!” - UBC Athletic Director Kavie Toor