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

Oct. 31, 2024 - Fraser Valley's Mateo Brazinha has been named Canada West's 2024 men's soccer Player of the Year.

The third year forward from Port Coquitlam, B.C. delivered the most dynamic offensive season in UFV program history, leading the conference with nine assists and 17 points while setting new single-season program records for both categories. His eight goals also tied for the conference lead.

Brazinha's offensive brilliance pushed the Cascades to their highest ever Canada West win total with eight victories, leading the team to a third place finish in the ultra competitive Pacific Division. Brazinha was an integral part of the program defying external expectations, as the Cascades were ranked 10th out of 13 teams in the pre-season coaches poll.

The conference announced its complete list of major award recipients on Thursday. Victoria's Fin Tugwell was named Defensive Player of the Year, while UBC's Henri Godbout had his outstanding debut season recognized with Rookie of the Year honours.

Alberta's Martin Fenger-Andersen was named Coach of the Year after leading the Golden Bears to the top of the Prairie Division, while Lethbridge captain Thomas Denness was named the Student-Athlete Community Service Award recipient.

MAJOR AWARD WINNERS & ALL-STARS

PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Mateo Brazinha (UFV Cascades)

One of the best attacking seasons ever produced from the UFV Cascades men’s soccer program belonged to Mateo Brazinha in 2024. The third-year striker from Port Coquitlam, B.C. led Canada West with nine assists and 17 points, while also holding a share of the conference lead in goals with eight.

Brazinha is the first player to lead Canada West in goals, assists, and points since UBC's Gagandeep Dosanjh accomplished the feat in 2012.

Brazinha’s nine assists and 17 points also set new program single-season records for the Cascades, as he helped lead the team to their best ever Canada West record at 8-5-3.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Fin Tugwell (Victoria Vikes)

Fin Tugwell, a two-time Canada West All-Star, started all 14 games he appeared in for the Vikes in 2024, tallying one goal and one assist. Tugwell anchored the Vikes’ back line, logging over 1,260 minutes on the pitch and helping the Vikes to allow just three goals in the 14 games he appeared in.

He is the ultimate team player for the Vikes and is an intelligent and consistent defender that is very composed in possession. Though a defender, Tugwell has also made positive contributions to the Vikes’ offence with timely points and his presence on set pieces.

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Henri Godbout (UBC Thunderbirds)

Leading the UBC Thunderbirds in both goals and points this season, Henri Godbout is the 2024 Canada West Men’s Soccer Rookie of the Year.

Playing in all 17 regular season and playoff games for UBC so far and starting in all but one of them, the Vancouver native burst onto the scene with three goals and seven points in his first four games. Finishing the campaign just one off the conference lead with seven goals, the forward tied for third in Canada West assists with five and finished the regular season fourth in total scoring with 12 points.

Five of Godbout’s eight goals were game winners, the most by any UBC player in 30 years.

Godbout scored and added an assist in the T-Birds’ 4-2 semifinal win over the Fraser Valley Cascades, punching UBC’s ticket to a ninth consecutive Canada West Final and a berth at the upcoming U SPORTS National Championship.

“I am really pleased for Henri to receive the Rookie of the Year Award for Canada West, I think it is deserved for the strong season he had and the impact he made. He was our team’s top scorer for both goals and points. He is an honest and hardworking player who does the work with and without the ball. I expect and hope this is the start of a few seasons of accolades for him.” – UBC Head Coach Mike Mosher

STUDENT-ATHLETE COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD: Thomas Denness (Lethbridge Pronghorns)

Lethbridge Pronghorns captain Thomas Denness and his unwavering commitment to bettering his community has earned him the 2024 CW men's soccer Student-Athlete Community Service Award.

As a fifth-year student at the University of Lethbridge, Thomas has balanced his role as captain of the men’s soccer team with consistent academic achievement, maintaining Academic All-Canadian status in 2021, 2022 and 2023. His commitment to academics is evident through the multiple recognitions he has received during his Pronghorns tenure. This includes the 2023 President's Award, which is given to the UofL student-athlete with the highest GPA. He also received the Pronghorn Mentor's Award for Leadership and the Morry Hunt Award for Academic Achievement.

Off the pitch, Thomas has displayed unwavering selflessness and has evolved into an inspiring leader that sets a positive example for his teammates. He has devoted four years to volunteering at the Lethbridge Food Bank, where he stocks, sorts, and serves food to support individuals in need. He is one of the food bank's longest-serving members, devoting multiple hours each week. Thomas also mentors youth through Big Brothers & Big Sisters’ Game-On program, facilitating games and fostering positive relationships with student groups in local schools.

In addition to these roles, Thomas has volunteered with the S.A.G.E. Clan, a community patrol organization aiding Lethbridge's unhoused population by distributing food and warm clothing in all seasons. He has always advocated for volunteering in the community and has been successful in getting his teammates involved.

"Thomas has been an outstanding member of our team. He has represented the values of the program both on and off the pitch and has been extremely influential in his community involvement. All of this while maintaining an Academic All-Canadian level. He is a model student-athlete and is looked up to by his peers in our athletic teams and department. We could not think of anyone more deserving for this award than him." - Lethbridge Pronghorns Head Coach Vikram Virk

COACH OF THE YEAR: Martin Fenger-Andersen (Alberta Golden Bears)

​ ​ ​ ​ • Sixth Season

For the second time in his career, Martin Fenger-Andersen has been named the Canada West Coach of the Year.

Leading the Golden Bears to a division-best 10-1-3 record and the No. 1 seed in the Prairies, Fenger-Andersen’s Bears firmly established themselves among the best teams in the nation in 2024. Guiding a roster that features a conference-high five all-stars, the Bears finished second in Canada West in goals (31) and third in goals against (11) this fall.

The Bears improved their goal total by 16 from 2023, moving from 11^th to second in team offence. The Bears 10-1-3 record is also the best mark during Fenger-Andersen’s six seasons.

“Martin has bred a high-performance training environment which has allowed each of his student-athletes to excel and improve. He has developed opportunities for his entire roster to thrive, thanks in large part to his ability to build a tremendous coaching and support staff. Being able to lead a team to the top of Canada West with a small roster in northern Alberta is a testament to his coaching ability, recruiting, and leadership.” – Leah Pezer, UofA Athletic Director