The National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) is proud to announce Myrtle Beach Mutiny forward Jon Ander Ibarrondo as the recipient of the 2015 Mitre Golden Ball award. The award, given to the league’s top player, was voted on by NPSL teams throughout the country.
“I am extremely honored and thankful for this opportunity,” Ibarrondo remarked. “None of this would have been possible without my teammates and the Mutiny/Coast FA staff.”
Ibarrondo finished the 2015 NPSL season with 13 goals and three assists. Ten of those goals came in the regular season with five being game-winners. Ibarrondo was a major part of the Mutiny’s turnaround this season as the Myrtle Beach side rolled to a 10-1-1 regular season record and their first conference title in franchise history. This was a massive improvement over the 2014 season when the club finished with a 3-5-2 record.
“I’m extremely proud and excited for Jon,” Mutiny Sporting Director Pat Piscitelli added. “I know he was been working hard for many years. All of us believe that he has a bright and promising future in the game and we wish him all the best.”
Off the field, Ibarrondo is a pillar in the Myrtle Beach community. He spends a lot of time mentoring Coast FA youth players, serving as a positive role model for those who share his passion and love for the beautiful game.
This is not the first honor for the Bilboa, Spain native. Ibarrondo was named the league’s 14th Mitre National Player of the Week in early July after scoring five goals in a span of just three games.
He is also a star in the collegiate game, having tallied eight goals and three assists for St. Andrews University in 2014. He recently announced his transfer to Wingate University, one of the top NCAA Division II programs in the country.
