TAMPA, Fla. – USL League One today announced that Charlotte Independence goalkeeper Austin Pack has been voted the 2023 USL League One Goalkeeper of the Year. In his first full season as a starter, Pack set a new league record with his 116 saves during the regular season.

"I'm thankful for my teammates and coaches for instilling confidence in me all year," Pack said. "I'm proud to have been able to contribute to this club. I'm also thankful for the club owners and their support."

In his eighth professional season and with his fifth unique professional club, the All-League First Team selection enjoyed a breakout season to lead Charlotte to its best finish in club history. The 29-year-old shot-stopper added nine clean sheets, 208 recoveries and 150 successful long passes in addition to his record-breaking saves total. In 55 regular and postseason matches for the Independence across the USL Championship and USL League One, Pack's 178 saves and 16 clean sheets are second only to Brandon Miller for the most in club history.

"I am overjoyed for Austin," Charlotte Head Coach Mike Jeffries said. "Throughout his career, he has overcome many challenges and obstacles, and for him to have the season he has had is a credit to his resilience, tenacity and mentality.

"Though his performance is measured in his being at the top of the goalkeeping statistical categories, his value to the team is far greater than the numbers – winning points or keeping us from dropping points with incredible saves, providing leadership and organization to a young back line and being a positive locker room influence."

Pack starred collegiately at UNC Charlotte, helping the 49ers capture the 2013 Conference USA Men's Soccer Championship title and the 2014 Conference USA regular season title. Pack made his professional debut with the NASL's Puerto Rico FC in the 2017 Caribbean Club Championship, posting a clean sheet against Caymanian side Scholars International Sports Club. The Jacksonville, Fla. native went on to play professionally with a quartet of USL Championship sides - Portland Timbers 2, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, the Charlotte Independence and Hartford Athletic - before returning to Charlotte in 2022.

Pack received 39% of the ballot to earn the award. 2023 USL League One Golden Glove winner and Knoxville goalkeeper Sean Lewis finished second on 36% with his league-leading 1.04 goals against average, while Northern Colorado's Lalo Delgado finished third on 25% with a league-record-tying 13 clean sheets. Pack's selection marks just the second time in league history the Golden Glove winner was not named Goalkeeper of the Year.

The 2023 USL League One Awards were voted on by club technical staffs and executives.

USL League One Goalkeeper of the Year

2023 - Austin Pack, Charlotte Independence

2022 – Rashid Nuhu, Union Omaha

2021 – Akira Fitzgerald, Richmond Kickers

2020 – Dallas Jaye, Greenville Triumph SC

2019 – Dallas Jaye, Greenville Triumph SC

2023 USL League One Awards

Goalkeeper of the Year: Austin Pack, Charlotte Independence

Defender of the Year: Tuesday, Nov. 7

Coach of the Year: Wednesday, Nov. 8

Young Player of the Year: Thursday, Nov. 9

Player of the Year: Friday, Nov. 10