TAMPA, Fla. – New Mexico United forward Kevaughn Frater has been voted the USL Championship’s Player of the Month for April as he recorded four goals for the expansion side as it continued its stellar run to open its inaugural season, while also individually becoming one of the early leaders in the race for the Championship’s Golden Boot.

A former member of both Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC and Phoenix Rising FC, the Jamaican international has been part of a Western Conference-leading attack that notched 19 goals through the first two months of the regular season. Frater put on an individual show with a hat trick in NMU’s 3-3 draw against fellow Western Conference leader the Portland Timbers 2 and is now tied for the team lead with seven goals alongside March Player of the Month Santi Moar.

“First, I just want to thank God for making everything possible, my family, my teammates, coaching staff and daily motivators,” said Frater. “Individual awards are a true reflection of what the team does, how hard you work to put yourself in the situation, and I'm just grateful to have a set of teammates and coaching staff that believe in me to get the job done, with this amazing state behind it all. Thank you, New Mexico.”

Frater received 45 percent of a weighted poll that included the USL Championship Technical Committee, a national panel of independent media representing every USL market and an online fan vote held at USLChampionship.com. The Tampa Bay Rowdies’ Leo Fernandes finished second on 21 percent after recording a goal and four assists as the Rowdies went through the month of April undefeated, while Indy Eleven’s Dane Kelly finished third with 19 percent as he recorded four goals and one assist for the Boys in Blue.