TAMPA, Fla. – Lexington SC forward Ates Diouf has been voted USL League One Player of the Month presented by Konami eFootball for September. The recognition is the first Player of the Month nod for both Diouf and Lexington SC.

Lexington's breakout star became just the sixth player in league history to amass 15 goals in a single season with his league-leading five-score September. With one match remaining, Diouf has already confirmed the second-highest-scoring season by a Senegalese player in modern American professional soccer history (Mamadou Diallo, Tampa Bay Mutiny - 2000).

Diouf tallied his second and third brace of the season against Central Valley on Sept. 10 and Chattanooga on Sept. 23, respectively, before wrapping up his special September with a goal against Madison on Sept. 30. The 2022 USL Championship title-winning striker also completed nearly 90% of his passes and accounted for 18 duels won, 14 recoveries and seven shots on target.

"I am very happy and proud to be named Player of the Month," Diouf said. "This would not be possible without the help of my teammates and coaching staff. I look forward to continuing to improve my game."

Diouf received 63.8% of a weighted poll - the second-highest percentage received in league history - that included the USL League One Technical Committee and an online fan vote held at USLLeagueOne.com. Union Omaha midfielder Luis Gil finished second on 12% with his two goals and two assists, while North Carolina FC midfielder Rafa Mentzingen finished third on 10.2% with a four-goal, one-assist September.