Nicholas Pavao: September's Zueike Male Athlete of the Month
Nicholas Pavao patrols the middle of the pitch looking to create scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates
Congratulations to Nicholas Pavao of Blazers Men's Soccer on being selected the CMU Zueike Male Athlete of the Month for September. The reigning MCAC Rookie of the Year has parlayed his success last year into his sophomore season, and has continued an electric scoring pace to start the season.
The 2025 MCAC All-Conference selection has been moved higher in the Blazers' formation this season with a number of impact midfielders coming into the fold, which has led to even more goals coming off the boot of the technically-gifted footballer. Through eight games in the 12-game schedule, Pavao has been scoring at a torrid pace, netting 11 goals, and leading in almost every offensive statistical category in the conference, including goals, assists, points, shots, and game-winning goals. Pavao has been in good company, co-leading the CCAA's men's soccer scoring race throughout September.
Pavao took home his first MCAC Player of the Match award of the season in the opening match of the campaign at Providence in the team's tight 5-0 defeat of the Pilots, and has scored in six consecutive matches since the team's 0-2 loss to St Boniface in early September. In a lineup riddled with talent, Pavao has demonstrated the poise and game sense to be a difference-maker, whether scoring goals himself, or drawing defenders and opening holes for his teammates to find pay dirt.
"Nicholas Pavao has been delivering outstanding performances every weekend to start the season," states Blazers Men's Soccer head coach Gode Katembo. "His creativity, work ethic, and ability to make a difference in key moments has been exceptional. Nick plays with confidence, creates opportunities for his teammates, and has the motor to be relentless on both sides of the ball, all converting to great offensive results."
The Blazers have a pivotal stretch of games ahead as they jostle for playoff positioning with only four games remaining on the schedule. The team will need to make up some ground on the St Boniface Rouges if they have hopes of hosting playoff matches. The MCAC Championships take place the October 31/November 1 weekend with a continuation of the format granting the regular season champion the right to host, putting even more significance on regular season standings to gain home field advantage for the playoff run with the winner earning their ticket to the CCAA National Championships, held this year in Edmonton.
