Nov. 30, 2008

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Charlotte 49ers men's soccer senior forward Chris Salvaggione is one of 15 players named semifinalists for the 2008 Missouri Athletic Club Hermann Trophy. The Hermann Trophy is awarded to the top player in collegiate soccer.

The 15 semifinalists will narrowed down to three finalists which will be announced on December 12. The three finalists will be invited to the Missouri Athletic Club in St. Louis for a news conference on January 9, 2009 where the winner will be announced.

Salvaggione was just named third-team TopDrawerSoccer.com's National Team of the Season. The National Team of the Season is what TopDrawerSoccer.com calls their All-American teams. Salvaggione became the 49ers men's soccer program's fifth All-American and the first since Ben Parry in 1997.

This season, Salvaggione was named Atlantic 10 Offensive Player of the Year as well as first-team All-A-10 for the second straight season.

The Monument, Colorado native led the Atlantic 10 in goals (15) and points (38) and ranked among the nation's leaders in points (2.00). His 15 goals are the fourth highest single-season total in school history and the most goals scored by a Charlotte player since Doug Pratt scored 18 goals in 1992. He led a 49ers offensive attack which scored 44 goals to rank nationally in scoring offense at 2.22 goals per game.

Salvaggione earned A-10 Player of the Week honors twice this season. He also was a two-time member of the Soccer America, College Soccer News and TopDrawerSoccer.com National Teams of the Week. He earned MVP honors after helping the 49ers capture the Davidson/Adidas Classic and the UNCW/Courtyard Marriott Classic titles this season. He scored two goals against Winthrop, Duquesne and St. Bonaventure.