Kick it at the M.A.C.
Hermann Trophy Awards
Catch the event at the M.A.C. or on your TV
 Last year, ESPNews cameras and reporters were at the M.A.C. when Past President Mark Neil presented the two top collegiate soccer players in the nation: Christine Sinclair of the University of Portland and Danny O'Rourke from Indiana University.
ESPNews will be back to catch the action this year. Last-minute tickets to the event are still available but are quickly selling out. If you miss out on the tickets, you can still catch the event live on TV. The announcement will be carried on ESPNews on Friday, Jan. 6, at 6 p.m. CDT.
The M.A.C. Hermann Trophy is a crystal ball, literally and figuratively. Many past winners, such as Mia Hamm and Alexi Lalas, have gone on to be American soccer icons and household names.
The M.A.C. Hermann Trophy, college soccer's version of the Heisman Trophy, is the highest individual honor a collegiate soccer player can receive. The M.A.C. recently announced the three male and female finalists and invited them to the news conference on Jan. 6, when the winner of the award will be revealed. Tune in to ESPNews for the final announcement, or, better yet, grab a ticket while they last. For reservations, please call 314-539-4470.
The Male Finalists
The ACC Player of the Year, the Big Ten Player of the Year and the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation co-Player of the Year comprise the three finalists for the men’s Missouri Athletic Club Hermann Trophy. The finalists were determined in voting of Division I men’s soccer coaches who are members of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA).
Maryland’s Jason Garey, Indiana’s Brian Plotkin and New Mexico’s Jeff Rowland are the three finalists for the award.
 Jason Garey
Garey, a senior forward from Gonzales, La., is Maryland’s career leader in goals. This season, he led the Terrapins in goals and points. Garey was named the ACC Offensive Player of the Year and led Maryland to the Men’s College Cup. In 2004, he was a semifinalist for the M.A.C. Hermann Trophy.
 Brian Plotkin
Plotkin, a senior midfielder from Lisle, Ill., scored eight goals and added 12 assists for the Hoosiers to lead the Big Ten in scoring. He led the Big Ten in game-winning goals (4) and was named the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week three times. Plotkin was named the Big Ten Player of the Year and was the only unanimous all-conference selection.
 Jeff Rowland
Rowland, a senior forward from Albuquerque, N.M., started every game for the Lobos. He led the Mountain Pacific Soccer Federation in scoring with 36 points on 16 goals and four assists. Rowland scored the game-winning goal in UNM’s 1-0 overtime victory over California in the NCAA quarterfinals to send the Lobos to the Men’s College Cup for the first time in school history.
The Female Finalists
The 2004 Missouri Athletic Club Hermann Trophy winner, the Big East’s Offensive Player of the Year, and the Big Ten’s Offensive Player of the Year comprise the three finalists for the 2005 women’s M.A.C. Hermann Trophy.
Portland’s Christine Sinclair, Notre Dame’s Katie Thorlakson and Penn State’s Tiffany Weimer are the three players chosen by Division I women’s soccer coaches who are members of the NSCAA.
 Christine Sinclair
Sinclair, a senior forward from Burnaby, B.C., was the leading goal scorer in the country with 39 goals. She led the Pilots to the national championship and an undefeated season, earning Most Valuable Player honors at last weekend’s Women’s College Cup. Sinclair was named the West Coast Conference Player of the Year for the third consecutive season. She has been a member of the Canadian National Team since 2000. Sinclair received the 2004 M.A.C. Hermann Trophy and could join Mia Hamm and Cindy Parlow as the only women to receive the award in consecutive years.
 Katie Thorlakson
Thorlakson, a senior forward from Langley, B.C., led the Fighting Irish with 35 assists and added 18 goals to tie for the team lead with 71 points. She played in all 25 matches for a Notre Dame squad that reached the NCAA quarterfinals. Thorlakson is two-time Big East Offensive Player of the Year and a member of the Canadian National Team. In 2004, she led Notre Dame to the national championship and was named the Women’s College Cup’s Most Valuable Player.
 Tiffany Weimer
Weimer, a senior forward from North Haven, Conn., led Penn State with 32 goals, establishing the Big Ten Conference single-season record. She owns a share of the NCAA record for consecutive games with a goal (17). She helped the Nittany Lions to their eighth consecutive Big Ten regular season championship. Weimer was named the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive season. This is the second year in a row that she is a finalist for the M.A.C. Hermann Trophy.
Don't miss the Hermann Trophy Banquet
 The M.A.C. has been busy preparing for the big event. The nation's top college soccer players were compiled on a "Watch List." In November, ballots using names from this list were sent to Division I college soccer coaches, who then chose the six finalists who will be invited to the banquet.
Younger local athletes will also be honored at the Hermann Trophy Banquet as well. The 2005 Missouri State High School soccer champions will be honored at the the banquet, along with the Under-15 girls national championship team from the St. Louis Soccer Club.
Since 1986, the Missouri Athletic Club's Hermann Trophy has honored the top male and female collegiate soccer players in the United States. The award represents the highest individual achievement in the sport. Past winners include some of the biggest names in U.S. soccer today. Kristine Lilly, Mia Hamm and Alexi Lalas, among others, won the award prior to achieving international success.
Make plans now to be a part of this national soccer celebration. Experience the excitement and drama at the press conference when the winner is announced. Afterward, join in for dinner, drinks and an awards program.
An exhibition featuring the current and the past recipients of the M.A.C. Hermann Trophy is on display at the National Soccer Hall of Fame in Oneonta, N.Y. Some of the biggest names in soccer like Mia Hamm and Claudio Reyna have won the M.A.C. Hermann Trophy. For a complete list of past winners, log on to www.mac-hermann-trophy.org.
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