MAAC Has Five Named to Hermann Trophy Watch List

MAAC Has Five Named to Hermann Trophy Watch List

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MAAC Sports

Kansas City, KS - Five MAAC men's soccer student-athletes have been named to the Missouri Athletic Club's (MAC) Hermann Trophy Watch List for 2012. Iona College led all programs nationally with four student-athletes on the list - Sammy Adjei, Borja Barbero, Franklin Castellanos, and Ansger Otto. They are joined by Fairfield University's Jonny Raj.

The MAC Hermann Trophy is the highest individual award in intercollegiate soccer. The list will be narrowed down to 15 semifinalists by NSCAA members from Division I programs by Nov. 29. Member coaches and fans will then vote for their top three choices and the finalists will be announced Dec. 6. The winner will be announced at the Missouri Athletic Club on Friday, Jan. 11.

Adjei, a junior forward from Newark, N.J., earned All-MAAC and NSCAA All-North Atlantic First Team honors after contributing 19 points on six goals and seven assists in his second season with the Gaels.  He had three game winners and a team high 27 shots on goal.

Barbero, a sophomore goalkeeper from Valladolid, Spain, started all 20 games for the Gaels this season, allowing 19 goals for an impressive goals against average of 0.91.  He recorded 62 saves and four shutouts in his rookie season, earning NSCAA All-North Atlantic First Team and MAAC All-Rookie Team honors as well as on a spot on the All-Tournament Team at the 2011 MAAC Championship.

Castellanos, a junior midfielder from Dover, N.J., appeared in 19 games for the Maroon & Gold, leading the Gaels in points with 20 (3g, 14a).  His 14 assists were the most in the country as was his 0.74 assists per game average while earning All-MAAC and NSCAA All-North Atlantic First Team First Team honors last season.

Otto, a senior forward from Willingshore, N.J., appeared in all 20 games for Iona in 2011, leading the Gaels with seven goals, including three game winners en route to All-MAAC and NSCAA All-North Atlantic First Team selections.

Raj, a senior defender from Auckland, New Zealand, begins his fourth season as a starting defender with the Stags. An All-MAAC selection, the senior comes off his second summer in the United Soccer League's Premier Development League (PDL). He played for the Chicago Fire during the 2011 season before moving to Reading for the 2012 campaign.