Congrats to Lotte Nydam on winning our March 2025 UCHealth Player of the Month award!
Lotte is a central midfielder for our Rapids 09G South ECNL-RL team, known for her unwavering consistency and ability to lead by example, both on and off the field.
Her coaches and teammates consistently praise her for her leadership and dedication, and Lotte’s fierce competitive spirit drives her to always strive for improvement.
Since joining ECNL training in September, Lotte has shown exceptional growth. In February, she played in the ECNL-RL Florida Showcase with a combined 08/07/06 team, competing 2-3 years up. Her coaches were unanimous in their praise, highlighting her as the standout player on the field in every match.
In addition to her individual success, Lotte led her ECNL-RL team to 3 wins and 1 draw during RL play. She also serves as the captain of her 09G team, further demonstrating her leadership qualities.
Off the field, Lotte excels academically, ranking #1 in her sophomore class and consistently pursuing excellence in her studies. She is an active member of the National Honor Society, serves as the President of the Flag Football Club at Denver Christian, and is a student council representative. Additionally, Lotte regularly volunteers with MotherWise, a foundation dedicated to supporting women, children, and families during pregnancy and beyond.
This April, Lotte will be presented with a plaque and a gift card to acknowledge her achievements. We met with Lotte to learn a bit more about her. Check out the full interview below!
What influence has soccer had in your life?
I have loved soccer since I was 5. Although there have been ups and downs, it has always been my favorite thing to do. Once, when I injured my hip and was unable to play, I realized that there is almost nothing I would rather be doing that playing soccer. I always look forward to practices, where I can let go of the other things on my mind and just play. It really is a simple sport, and certainly one I have fallen in love with. I have enjoyed growing in my abilities to play and understand the game. However, soccer has also brought me so many other opportunities. I have made countless friends and learned many life skills. Soccer has taught me leadership skills, teamwork, social skills, and independence.
Why do you believe that you were nominated for this award?
I believe was nominated for this award due to my work ethic, leadership, love for the game, and commitment to excellence.
What do you enjoy most about playing for Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club?
I love how committed my coaches have been to my personal development,. I couldn’t have gotten to the point I am today with out so much help and support. My coach has been very helpful in advocating for my advancement and has always put my development first.
What soccer accomplishment are you most proud of?
The first ECRL season, as captain of the team, we went undefeated and let in zero goals against to win the mountain region league play. That same season I was named on the U-15 all-regional league mountain team and I made all-state my freshman year of high school soccer.
What academic achievement are you most proud of?
I received gold scholar my freshman year of high school, meaning that I was first in the class.
How do you think your teammates would describe you?
I think my teammates would describe me as fun yet focused. I enjoy laughing and joking with them but we also challenge each other competitively. I thin that overall, they would describe me as a leader and a hard worker but also a kind and fun person to be around.
What is something that shows your exemplary character, commitment to sportsmanship, community involvement, etc..?
One time, my friend and I volunteered at a church in South Dakota where they was a very large homeless population. We painted their walls and picked up trash. Afterward, we visited a homeless camp and served food and got to talk to many of them, listening to their stories. One of the most interesting stories I heard was from a woman who was struggling with drug abuse. I talked to her for almost an hour, and at the end of it she thanked my for talking to her and listening. She hugged me, which was something I hadn’t expected. She told me that she hadn’t expected someone to care about her enough to stay with her and her story that long. I honestly don’t know why that was the specific story I remembered, but it stuck with me.
What’s your favorite soccer player and team?
My favorite soccer player is Linsey Horan.
What do you hope to pursue in the near future?
I hope to study education in college while playing college soccer.
Who inspires you and why? This can be someone famous or someone you know personally!
One person who inspires me is my dad. He is one of the most hardworking people I have met, and he is very busy, yet he always tries to be there to take me to practices or to show up to my games. I love his outlook on life and the lessons that he has taught me. He works really hard to be a good leader and I admire the way he conducts himself in hard situations. He taught me to be a leader, to be confident, to work hard and also to be kind, to be gracious and to love others. He is my role model, someone who works for their goals and thinks critically about the world around him and his place in it.
What else do you enjoy outside of playing for CRYSC?
I love to ski with my family. I also like to run and go for bike rides. Additionally, i love hanging out with my friends and baking.
Since 2018, CRYSC and UCHealth + CU Orthopedics and Sports Medicine have worked together in an effort to grow the safety and health resources that are available for Rapids Youth players and members.
As our partnership strengthens with UCHealth, we want to work together to highlight the amazing players within the Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club with a monthly ‘Player of the Month’. Check out the criteria and nominate any players that deserve to be highlighted by UCHealth and CRYSC on the UCHealth Player of the Month page.
