Aug. 14, 2012

OFFICIAL RELEASE

KANSAS CITY, Kan. - Four Atlantic 10 Conference men's soccer standouts have been identified as players to follow this season, as these individuals were named to the Missouri Athletic Club's (MAC) Hermann Trophy Watch List for 2012. Charlotte's Tyler Gibson, Duquesne's Simon Gomez, Fordham's Nathanial Bekoe and Xavier's Nick Hagglund were among the 42 men recognized on Monday.

The MAC Herman Trophy is the highest individual award in intercollegiate soccer presented annually in January during a banquet at the Missouri Athletic Club in St. Louis. The list will be narrowed down by NSCAA members from Division I programs to 15 semifinalists by November 29. Member coaches and fans will then vote for their top three choices and the finalists will be announced December 6. The winners will be announced at the awards' banquet at the Missouri Athletic Club on Friday, Jan. 4.

Gibson is a two-time first-team All-Atlantic 10 selection. Last season, he started all 25 of Charlotte's games and played an integral role in helping the 49ers reach the College Cup Championship game. He also earned NSCAA first-team All-Mid-Atlantic region honors last season. In 2010, he earned College Soccer News Freshman All-American honors as well as being named A-10 Midfielder and Rookie of the Year.

Gomez, a two-time All-Conference First Team selection, paced the league last season in four statistical categories, including points (26), points per game (1.44) assists (8) and assists per game (0.44). The junior forward also finished the year ranked third in the A-10 in goals (9).

Bekoe, a 2011 All-Conference First Team midfielder, saw action in all 19 games for the Rams last year. The Accra, Ghana native also registered two assists, as he helped Fordham capture a share of the Atlantic 10 regular season title for the first time in school history, finishing the year with an 11-7-1 overall record, 7-2 in the conference.

Hagglund, a 2010 graduate of Cincinnati's Lakota West High School, has been a mainstay in the Musketeers' backline since his freshman season. Since then the Musketeers have won 22 games and set numerous team defensive records, including single-season goals allowed and goals against average. Last season he was named to the NSCAA All-Mid-Atlantic First Team and the Atlantic 10 All-Conference First Team. His efforts helped Xavier capture its second-straight Atlantic 10 Championship and berth to the NCAA Tournament. He earned spots on the A-10 All-Rookie Team and A-10 All-Tournament Team his freshman season. Hagglund is just one of 10 defenders to make the list. He's scored twice and added four assists in his two seasons for the Musketeers.

About the NSCAA Based in Kansas City, Kan., the National Soccer Coaches Association of America is the largest soccer coaches' organization in the world. Since its founding in 1941, the NSC AA has grown to include more than 30,000 members who coach both genders at all levels of the sport. In addition to a national rankings program for colleges and high schools, NSCAA offers an extensive recognition program that presents nearly 10,000 individual awards every year. The NSCAA fulfills its mission of coaching education through a nationwide program of clinics and week-long courses, teaching more than 7,000 soccer coaches each year. For more information, visit www.NSCAA.com.

About the Missouri Athletic Club The Missouri Athletic Club has been presenting college soccer's players of the year awards since 1986. The MAC was established in 1903 as an athletic, dining and social club. It has a "Platinum Club of America" status, which is awarded to the top private clubs in the country. To learn more about the Missouri Athletic Club, go to www.mac-stl.org.