COLLEGE STATION, Texas - Texas A&M soccer seniors Bri Young and Merritt Mathias were placed on the Missouri Athletic Club's (MAC) Hermann Trophy Watch List for 2011.
"The MAC Hermann Trophy is the ultimate honor in college soccer, so it's really special to see two of our great Aggie players on the watch list." head coach G Guerrieri said. "Bri and Merritt are very deserving of the accolades they receive. They work hard, play smart and have done so over the years at Texas A&M as well as with the USA U-20 and U-23 National Teams."
Mathias (Birmingham, Ala.) earned a spot on the 2011 Big 12 Preseason team and was a 2010 All-Big 12 first team and Big 12 All-Newcomer team recipient. The midfielder netted nine goals and added five assists as a junior transfer in 2010.
Young (Castle Pines North, Colo.) is a 2010 NSCAA All American and was also on the 2010 All-Big 12 First Team. The defender earned 17 points last season with five goals and seven assists, and led the back line to nine shutouts.
The duo was joined on the list of 42 athletes from 34 schools by fellow Big 12 players Adrianna Franch and Melinda Mercado of Oklahoma State. A&M was one of only eight of schools with two selections.
The MAC Hermann Trophy is the most prestigious individual award in collegiate soccer. Honorees are picked by National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) coaches, and will be narrowed to a group of 15 semifinalists in late November. Three finalists will be invited to a banquet at the Missouri Athletic Club in St. Louis on Jan. 6, where the winner will be announced via news conference.
The Aggies kick off the 2011 season this Friday at home against Fresno State at 6:30 p.m. at Ellis Field. For more information on Texas A&M soccer, log on to AggieAthletics.com.