North Carolina forward Heather O'Reilly (East Brunswick, N.J.) and Nebraska midfielder Brittany Timko (Coquitlam, N.C.) are hoping the third time is a charm. For the third consecutive year, the two appear among the 15 semifinalists who comprise the ballot for the 2006 Missouri Athletic Club's Hermann Trophy. Considered to be college soccer's version of the Heisman Trophy, the winner of the award is selected by  NCAA Division I coaches who are members in good standing with the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA).

Timko and O'Reilly, a finalist for the award last year, are joined by two Notre Dame players who were on the ballot in 2005: midfielder Jen Buczkowski (Elk Grove, Ill.) and forward Kerri Hanks (Allen, Texas). The 15 semifinalists, with information about their performance during the 2006 season, are below.

The winner will be determined in voting by NSCAA Division I member coaches. Three men's and three women's finalists will be announced on Monday, Nov. 27. The winners will be announced at a banquet in St. Louis, Mo., hosted by the Missouri Athletic Club on Saturday, Dec. 2, where they will be presented with the prestigious crystal soccer ball which has come to symbolize the highest individual achievement in intercollegiate soccer.

An exhibition featuring the current and past winners of the M.A.C. Hermann Trophy is on display at the National Soccer Hall of Fame in Oneonta, N.Y.

2006 Missouri Athletic Club's Hermann Trophy Women's Semifinalists

Danesha Adams, M, Jr., UCLA, Shaker Heights, Ohio
Second overall on the Bruins in scoring with seven goals and three assists for 17 points … five of her goals are game-winners … has started 14 matches … a member of the 2006 U.S. Women’s Under-20 National Team that won the CONCACAF Qualifying Tournament in Mexico.

Yael Averbuch, M, So., North Carolina, Upper Montclair, N.J.
Named Atlantic Coast Conference Offensive Player of the Year after scoring 12 goals and 29 points to top the Tar Heel scoring chart … has six game-winning goals,  also a team best … named ACC Player of the Week twice … established an NCAA women’s soccer record by scoring four seconds into a victory against Yale Sept. 3 … current member of the U.S. Women’s U-20 National Team

Jen Buczkowski, M, Sr., Notre Dame, Elk Grove, Ill.
A first-team All-Big East Conference selection … the league honor is the third of her career … has one goal and 10 assists for 12 points in 21 games this season  … the 10 assists rank her 15th nationally … making her second consecutive appearance on the M.A.C. Hermann Trophy ballot.

Rachel Buehler, D, Sr., Stanford, Del Mar, Calif.
Anchor of a defense that has posted 13 shutouts and held 15 opponents to two shots or less … named Pacific-10 Conference Player of the Week Oct. 31, scoring her only goal of the season thus far to lead the Cardinal to a 1-0 victory over Oregon … also has been credited with an assist.

Marian Dalmy, D, Sr., Santa Clara, Lakewood, Colo.
Key member of the Broncos defense that has shut out 11 opponents … leads all West Coast Conference defenders in scoring with six goals and 18 points … named WCC Player of the Month for October.

Laura Georges, D, Sr., Boston College, Versailles, France
Named the Atlantic Coast Conference Defender of the Year … also named a first-team all-ACC selection … has made a tremendous impact on the Eagles defensively, helping BC win 39 games in three years and advancing to the NCAA Tournament each season  … 2005 third-team NSCAA/adidas All-America selection.

Kerri Hanks, F, So., Notre Dame, Allen, Texas
Named the Big East Conference Offensive Player of the Year after tallying 18 goals and 14 assists for 50 points … the point total is second nationally … her 18 goals ranks fourth in the NCAA … also named first-team all-conference for the second consecutive season … making her second consecutive appearance on the M.A.C. Hermann Trophy ballot.

Ali Krieger, D, Sr., Penn State, Dumfries, Va.
Earned Co-Big Ten Conference Defensive Player of the Year honors for the Nittany Lions … also named a first-team all-conference selection for the third straight season … converted from midfield to defender out of necessity and injuries, she still scored 2 goals from the back and tallied five assists ... 2005 first-team NSCAA/adidas All-America.

Selin Kuralay, F, Jr., Florida State, Melbourne, Australia
Leads the Seminoles with 11 goals and one assist for 23 points … all 11 of her goals have been game-winners… is the Atlantic Coast Conference career leader in game-winning goals and tied for the career lead in multi-goal games … only the second player in Florida State history to record more than 10 goals in back-to-back seasons.

Stephanie Lopez, D, Jr., Portland, Elk Grove, Calif.
Anchors a Pilots defense that has allowed only 13 goals on the season and has posted 11 shutouts … has played in just 10 games … 2005 first-team NSCAA/adidas All-America … current member of the U.S. Women’s National Team … captained the 2006 U.S. Women’s U-20 Team that participated in the FIFA Women’s U-20 World Championship in Russia.

Heather O’Reilly, F, Sr., North Carolina, East Brunswick, N.J.
Has accumulated points on eight goals and 10 assists … earned NSCAA National Player of the Week honors Sept. 27 … three-time All-ACC first-team selection … 2005 second-team NSCAA/adidas All-America … a current member of the U.S. Women’s National Team, earning 46 caps … making her third appearance on the M.A.C. Hermann Trophy ballot… was a M.A.C. Hermann Trophy finalist for the second consecutive year in 2005.

Ashlee Pistorius, F, Jr., Texas A&M, Bloomington, Ill.
Leads the Aggies in points (26) and is fourth all-time in career goals (52) … has started all 20 matches … recorded three multi-goal games this season … has seven goals in the Aggies’ last five matches … scored the game-winning goal against North Carolina in double overtime to hand the Tar Heels their only loss this season.

Brittany Timko, M, Sr., Nebraska, Coquitlam, B.C.
Became the first player in Big 12 Conference history to earn three consecutive league Player of the Year honors … also a first-team all-conference pick for the third straight season … leads the Cornhuskers in goals (11), assists (seven) and points (29) … established a Nebraska school record as she recorded a point in 13 straight games earlier this season … 2005 third-team NSCAA/adidas All-America … third appearance on the M.A.C. Hermann Trophy ballot.

India Trotter, F, Sr., Florida State, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Second-leading scorer for the Seminoles with six goals and 15 points … has six game-winning goals … has started 87 of 89 games in her collegiate career … ranks sixth in career points and seventh in all-time goals at FSU … 2005 second-team NSCAA/adidas All-America …a member of the U.S. Women’s National Team, earning her first cap against Norway in the 2006 Four Nations Tournament in China.

Angie Woznuk, M, Jr., Portland, El Cajon, Calif.
Has played in all 20 games for Portland this season, scoring two goals and 15 points … 2005 third-team NSCAA/adidas All-America … member of the U.S. Women’s National Team, earning her first cap in July 2005.

NSCAA members log in to comment. Not a member? Learn more today.