Fort Lauderdale Strikers Forward Stefano Pinho Wins NASL Golden Boot Award

Fort Lauderdale Strikers forward Stefano Pinho has been awarded the 2015 North American Soccer League (NASL) Golden Boot, which goes to the player who scored the most goals during the season.

Pinho, 24, took the league by storm in his first season, scoring 16 goals. The young forward netted two hat tricks – August 30 in a 7-1 win over Indy Eleven and October 4 in a 4-2 victory over the San Antonio Scorpions – in the Fall Season.

"I’m happy with the opportunity that the Strikers gave me, and I had to return their faith in me with goals," Pinho said. "I started the season slowly, but once I started scoring I didn't slow down. I want to thank God for giving me the gifts to do what I love and I have to thank everyone who helped me both on and off the field."

The Minas Gerais, Brazil, native featured in 28 matches in 2015, starting 26 and compiling 2,335 minutes. He also added seven assists to go with his 16 goals.

The Strikers lost only once when Pinho scored (7W-2D-1L), and several of his goals were worthy of the highlight reel. Perhaps his best strike of the season was an acrobatic scissor kick for the first of his three goals against Indy.

Pinho becomes the fifth NASL Golden Boot winner in the Modern Era, joining Etienne Barbara (Carolina RailHawks – 20 goals, 2011) Pablo Campos (San Antonio Scorpions – 21 goals, 2012), Brian Shriver (RailHawks – 15 goals, 2013), and Christian Ramirez (Minnesota United – 20 goals, 2014).