COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Isabella Whitmore of the Mountain Lions women's soccer program and Alex Andersson of the men's soccer program have been named the 2023-24 Athletes of the Year, announced Monday by the University of Colorado Colorado Springs Department of Athletics.   

The Athlete of the Year Award is presented annually to the top male and female student-athletes who have showcased the highest level of accomplishments and contributions to their respective sport and program. 
 
Isabella Whitmore, Women's Soccer (Graduate Student, Goalkeeper, Arlington, Texas. / Martin High School / Southern Utah University)
 
2023 Season Highlights and Stats

• 2023 South-Central Regional Champion
• 2023 NCAA Division II Quarterfinal Appearance
• United Soccer Coaches All-America Third Team
• United Soccer Coaches All-South-Central Region First Team
• RMAC Goalkeeper of the Year
• RMAC Goalkeeper of the Week – Sep. 19 & Sep. 26.
• Started all 23 matches playing 1,946 minutes
• Turned in nine clean sheets (3^rd most in RMAC)
• .810 Save Percentage (4^th in RMAC)

 
Isabella Whitmore's Career Highlights

• Ranks 2^nd in program history for most shutouts in a single season (9)
• 15 wins as a Mountain Lion, paired with three draws helping UCCS to 48 points
• 0.74 Goals Against Average (4th lowest in program history)
• 68 career saves (8^th most in program history)
• 2019 Team MVP at Sothern Utah
• Big Sky All-Academic Team Selection 2019-2022
• Holds Southern Utah single game save record (19 saves)

"Bella's presence minding our net and her vocal leadership on and off the pitch were instrumental to our winning 'Double' Championships of RMAC & South-Central Region last fall," stated UCCS Head Women's Soccer Coach J.B. Belzer. "Her enthusiasm for training, preparation, and match day focus allows her to lead herself and others to success. This All-American has much remaining to achieve both this coming fall 2024 season and for the future in our game of soccer!"
  Alex Andersson, Men's Soccer, (Senior, Helsingborg, Sweden / Filbornaskolan, Helsingborg)
 
2023 Season Highlights and Stats:

• Division II National Tournament Qualifier
• D2CCA All-South-Central Region Second Team
• All-RMAC First Team
• Started all 20 appearances on the season, playing 1,368 minutes
• Scored nine goals (Led team, 4^th most in RMAC)
• Dealt two assists, for a 20-point total (6^th most in RMAC)
• Hat Trick vs Fort Hays State on Sep. 3^rd

Alex Andersson Career Highlights:

• Signed professional contract (Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC – USL Championship)
• 2021 RMAC Player of the Year
• 2020-21 RMAC Freshman of the Year
• 2022, 2024 UCCS Athlete of the Year
• 2022 RMAC All-Tournament Team
• 2022 RMAC All-Academic Honor Roll
• 2021 All-RMAC First Team
• 2x 2021 RMAC Offensive Player of the Week (10/12/21, 11/2/21)
• 2020-21 All-RMAC Second Team
• 2x 2020-21 RMAC Offensive Player of the Week (3/31/21, 4/22/21)

"Alex has been exceptional during his time as a Mountain Lion," said Lewis Wilcox, Head Coach of UCCS Men's Soccer. "In 2023, he really showed his leadership abilities as well as his qualities on the pitch. Every team we played was so heavily focused on stopping him which made it even more challenging for him. He fought through and led us to our first NCAA tournament appearance while also earning himself a professional contract with Switchbacks FC. He's Extremely deserving of this award and we are very proud of everything he's achieved and we know he has a very bright future in the professional game."

2023-24 UCCS CUSPYs Awards Schedule
Monday, May 6 - Athletes of the Year, Isabella Whitmore & Alex Andersson
Tuesday, May 7 - Student-Athletes of the Year
Wednesday, May 8 - Newcomers of the Year
Thursday, May 9 - Athletic Director Award