The NCCAA Kyle Rote, Jr. Award is presented each year to the outstanding NCCAA men’s soccer player (junior or senior) in the nation who possesses a vital Christian testimony on and off the field and exhibits outstanding leadership qualities including Christian service activities. This award, which is sponsored by the Gary Beck Foundation, highlights excellence in competition, skill, and service. The award is named after Kyle Rote, Jr., a former professional soccer player. The recipient receives a beautiful trophy recognizing their accomplishment along with an engraved watch with the award being presented at the NCCAA National Tournament Kick-off Banquet on December 2 in Kissimmee, Fla.

Patterson, a senior defender from Dayton, Ohio, has played in 67 matches during his four-year career with the Cougars with 57 starts. During the past four years, the former Dayton Christian High School standout has helped the team post a 48-23-9 record during which time the defense that he has anchored has compiled 34 shutouts.

This season, Patterson has started and played every minute of all 21 matches for MVNU as the Cougars have posted a 16-3-2 overall record and finished second in the rugged American Mideast Conference. The team has also cracked the NAIA Top 25 for the first time in the program’s history and moved all the way to No. 7 in the final poll. MVNU, which has gone 4-1-1 against teams ranked in the Top 25 this year, also qualified for the NAIA National Championship for the first time ever.

During Patterson’s career, he has received numerous accolades leading up to his selection as the Kyle Rote, Jr. Award recipient. As a junior, he was named to the AMC South Division Second Team, the NCCAA East Region Team, the NCCAA All-American First Team, and selected as the team’s Most Valuable Player. This year, he has already been named to the AMC First Team and selected as the First-Knox Cougar Invitational Most Valuable Defensive Player.

In addition to his accomplishments on the soccer field, Patterson has also achieved success in the classroom. As a double major in International Business and Financial Management, he has posted a 3.37 grade point average and been named to the MVNU Dean’s List for four semesters. In addition, he was selected as both an NAIA and NCCAA Scholar-Athlete as a junior.

Patterson has shown his leadership abilities by serving as a captain for the Cougars this season. He has been involved in a number of Christian ministries such as serving with his teammates in soup kitchens and nursing homes during his four years at MVNU. He will also be making his fourth missions trip to Tijuana, Mexico this December with a Christian humanitarian project building homes.

"Zach is a prototypical defender,” said MVNU coach Paul Furey. "He has speed, strength, athleticism, the technical skills and the ability to read the game and react quickly. He is also a competitor - a fierce competitor. You want him on your team whether it is soccer, cornhole, or checkers. His desire to win and be competitive is contagious.”

"What is really special about Zach, though, is seeing the man he has become and the leadership qualities he now demonstrates,” Furey continued. "Just as he has developed into a tremendous player, it has been a thrill to see him take on the challenge of being a model player for his teammates and a student-athlete who embodies what our Christian university and the NCCAA is all about. This is why Zach is an excellent choice for the Kyle Rote, Jr. Award.”

Patterson and the Cougars will look to continue their special season on Monday, December 1, in Fresno, Calif., when the team will square off with top-ranked Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) College in the second round of the NAIA National Championship at 4:30 p.m. PST. MVNU advanced to the 16-team final site with a 2-0 victory over Lee (Tenn.) University on Saturday in the NAIA National Championship Opening Round.