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Maryland’s Mullins, Virginia’s Brian, headline Hermann Trophy semifinalist shortlist

Patrick Mullins

Photo by ISIPhotos.com

By CAITLIN MURRAY

The shortlist of 2013 MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalists is out and, with a strong crop of college talent, it reads like a who’s who of the next big American soccer pros.

Patrick Mullins just might make it two for two. The reigning Hermann Trophy winner has had another stellar year, tallying 16 goals and eight assists for Maryland this year. It’s not quite as strong as his performance that secured the top honor in 2012, but Mullins is still a clear favorite.

Expect Mullins and the rest of the list to be a hot commodity for the Major League Soccer SuperDraft held Jan. 16 during the National Soccer Coaches Association of America annual convention.

Goalkeeper Andre Blake, a native of Jamaica and Connecticut junior, is worth keeping an eye on, too. He remains a top prospect to join Major League Soccer as an underclassman and had earned call-ups to the full Jamaican national team.

Harrison Shipp has also had a big year for Notre Dame, posting 12 goals and 8 assists on the season.

On the women’s side, it’s no surprise to see North Carolina’s Crystal Dunn and Virginia’s Morgan Brian on the list. Both have become regular U.S. National Team call-ups, with coach Tom Sermanni indicating he sees the youngsters playing a big part in the squad’s future.

Dunn won the award in 2012 and has made a strong case for a repeat, but with Brian’s 16 goals and 14 assists on the season – outperforming Dunn in both categories – it could be the Virginia junior’s year.

Julie Johnston of Santa Clara is another familiar name – she got her first two caps with the U.S. National Team this year and joins Dunn and Brian at a team training camp running until Dec. 15.

Dunn and Johnston should be top prospects for the 2014 National Women’s Soccer League college draft, which the league announced Wednesday is set for Jan. 17 at the NSCAA convention.

Here are both full lists:

MEN’S SEMIFINALSTS

Name – position – year – school

Andre Blake – GK – Jr – Connecticut
Steve Birnbaum – D – Sr – California
Alec “AJ” Cochran – D – Jr – Wisconsin St.
Taylor Peay – D – Sr – Washington
Kyle Venter – D – Sr – New Mexico
Laurie Bell – M – Jr – Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Aodhan Quinn – M – Sr – Akron
Pedro Ribeiro – M – Sr – Coastal Carolina
Leo Stolz – M – Jr – UCLA
Pete Caringi III – F – Sr – UMBC
Tim Hopkinson – F – Sr – Old Dominion
Sagi Lev-Ari – F – Jr – Cal State-Northridge
Patrick Mullins – F – Sr – Maryland
Steve Neumann – F – Sr Georgetown
Harrison Shipp – F – Sr Notre Dame

WOMEN’S SEMIFINALISTS

Name – position – year – school

Sabrina D’Angelo – GK – Jr – South Carolina
Abby Dahlkemper – D – Jr – UCLA
Amanda Frisbie – D – Sr – Portland
Kassey Kallman – D – Sr – Florida State
Emily Menges – D – Sr – Georgetown
Morgan Brian – M – Jr – Virginia
Crystal Dunn – M – Sr – North Carolina
Julie Johnston – M – Sr – Santa Clara
Makenzy Doniak – F – So Virginia
Nkem  Ezurike – F – Sr – Michigan
Kristen Hamilton – F  – Sr – Denver
Maya Hayes – F – Sr – Penn State
Jazmine Reeves – F – Sr – Virginia Tech
Frances Silva – F – Sr – West Virginia
Rafaelle Souza – F – Sr – Mississippi

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What do you think of this list? Think that Mullins can repeat? Do you like Brian’s chances? Was there anyone left off that you feel deserved to be on the shortlist?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. I think Brandon Allen should be ahead of Steven Nuemann from Georgetown. Stats without penalty kicks: Neumann Goals: 6 Assists: 6. Allen Goals: 11 Assists: 4. Allen is also 2 years younger. With penalty kicks Neumann has 10 goals.

    Reply

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