GREENSBORO, N.C. (TheACC.com) – Seventeen Atlantic Coast Conference soccer student-athletes have been named to the 2019 MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List, the United Soccer Coaches and Missouri Athletic Club announced on Thursday.
 
Twelve women’s soccer players from the ACC were recognized - the most from any conference.

Florida State senior forward Deyna Castellanos, Louisville junior midfielder Emina Ekic and North Carolina junior forward Alessia Russo were each selected for the preseason watch list for the second consecutive season. Russo was a 2018 MAC Hermann Trophy Semifinalist after garnering ACC Offensive Player of the Year.

The Seminoles placed a team-high four student-athletes on the team, as 2018 ACC Freshman of the Year midfielder Yujie Zhao, junior defender Malia Berkely and sophomore midfielder Jaelin Howell joined Castellanos on the watch list.

North Carolina and Virginia’s three selections tied for the second most of any team. For the Tar Heels, junior forward Taylor Otto and sophomore midfielder Brianna Pinto were honored in addition to Russo. Junior goalkeeper Laurel Ivory, senior defender Phoebe McClernon and sophomore forward Alexa Spaanstra earned the mention from Virginia.

Senior Sandy MacIver, a 2018 All-ACC goalkeeper from Clemson, also earned a spot on the list.

Last season, Florida State claimed the 23rd overall NCAA Women’s Soccer Title for the ACC and 26th by a current ACC member. North Carolina was the national runner-up, marking the fourth championship game between two ACC teams.
 
On the men’s side, five student-athletes from the ACC were selected to the watch list, also the most of any conference.

Duke senior forward Daniele Proch and Wake Forest senior midfielder Bruno Lapa were semifinalists for the MAC Hermann Trophy last season. Lapa was the 2018 ACC Midfielder of the Year, and Proch garnered First Team All-ACC honors.

Louisville junior forward Emil Elvoreth, NC State junior midfielder David Loera and North Carolina senior Mauricio Pineda were also named to the watch list.
 
ACC men have claimed college soccer’s top individual honor 19 times, including two of the past three winners - Wake Forest’s Jon Bakero (2017) and Ian Harkes (2016). The women have earned the trophy on 12 occasions, most recently in 2014.
 
The MAC Hermann Trophy is the most prestigious individual award in college soccer and is presented annually to the most outstanding male and female players of the year. Watch Lists are compiled by members of the United Soccer Coaches Men’s and Women’s NCAA Division I All-America Committees.
 
Fifteen semifinalists will be named for both the men’s and women’s MAC Hermann Trophy near the end of the college season based on voting by NCAA Division I coaches, from those candidates, three finalists will ultimately be placed on the ballot for the coveted award. This year’s winners will be announced in early January at the Missouri Athletic Club in St. Louis.

For more information about the MAC Hermann Trophy, including a list of past winners, visit MACHermannTrophy.org.

Women's MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List
Sandy MacIver, Sr., GK, Clemson
Malia Berkely, Jr., D, Florida State
Deyna Castellanos, Sr., F, Florida State
Jaelin Howell, So., M, Florida State
Yujie Zhao, So., M, Florida State
Emina Ekic, Jr., M, Louisville
Taylor Otto, Jr., F, North Carolina
Brianna Pinto, So., M, North Carolina
Alessia Russo, Jr., F, North Carolina
Laurel Ivory, Jr., GK, Virginia
Phoebe McClernon, Sr., D, Virginia
Alexa Spaanstra, So., F, Virginia

Men's MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List 
Daniele Proch, Sr., F, Duke
Emil Elveroth, Jr., F, Louisville
David Loera, Jr., M, NC State
Mauricio Pineda, Sr., M, North Carolina
Bruno Lapa, Sr., M, Wake Forest