Bye and Moutinho Named Semi-Finalists For Hermann Award
Story Courtesy of United Soccer Coaches
VIEW FULL SEMIFINALIST LIST
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The United Soccer Coaches announced on Tuesday the 15 men’s semifinalists and 15 women’s semifinalists in consideration for the 2017 MAC Hermann Trophy, based on voting by NCAA Division I soccer coaches.
The MAC Hermann Trophy, the most coveted individual honor in NCAA Division I soccer, has been awarded annually since 1967. Most recently, Ian Harkes (Wake Forest) and Kadeisha Buchanan (West Virginia) received the award for outstanding intercollegiate performances during their senior seasons in 2016.
Western Michigan forward and MAC Player of the Year Brandon Bye, along with Akron defender and MAC Freshman of the Year Joao Moutinho are both highlighted among the semifinalists. Bye put together a very impressive 2017 season, scoring a conference best 12 goals and contributing 7 assists to a Western Michigan squad that that won a program record 17 games this season. Moutinho, who is the only freshman to be listed amongst the 15 semifinalists, was crucial for the Akron back line. The Portugal native scored 3 goals and added 5 assists for the Zips this season, while holding opponents to just 12 goals in 22 games played.
Three men’s finalists and three women’s finalists will be named on December 8 in conjunction with the Men’s College Cup semifinals in Philadelphia. The 2017 MAC Hermann Trophy banquet will be held at the Missouri Athletic Club in St. Louis on January 5, 2018 to formally announce this year’s winners.
