The Big East Offensive Player of the Year, a first-team All-Pac 10 selection and the Pac-10 Player of the Year comprise the three finalists for the 2010 Missouri Athletic Club Hermann Trophy, the highest individual honor in intercollegiate soccer. The finalists were determined in voting by Division I women's head coaches at institutions who are members of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA).

Melissa Henderson from Notre Dame, Alex Morgan from California and Christen Press from Stanford are the three finalists for the award. The trio will be invited to the Missouri Athletic Club in downtown St. Louis on Friday, Jan. 7, for a news conference, where the winner of the award will be revealed (approximately 7 p.m. EST). A banquet at the Club that evening will feature the formal presentation of the prestigious crystal soccer ball trophy to the winner.

Henderson, a junior forward from Garland, Texas, helped Notre Dame capture the 2010 NCAA Women’s College Cup championship. She started all 25 games for the Fighting Irish and led the team in goals (17) and assists (11) for 45 points. Henderson ranked sixth nationally in both points per game (1.80) and goals (17). She netted six game-winning goals during the season. Henderson was the Big East Offensive Player of the Year.

Morgan, a senior forward from Diamond Bar, Calif., played only 12 games for California due to being called up to the U.S. Women’s World Cup qualifying tournament. She still led the Golden Bears in goals (14) and points (30). Morgan earned first-team All-Pac 10 honors. Her stoppage-time goal against Italy gave the U.S. women a leg up in their playoff series to advance to next summer’s Women’s World Cup. Henderson is the first player in Cal women’s soccer history to be voted a finalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy.

Press, a senior forward from Palos Verdes Estates, Calif., was the 2010 Pac-10 Player of the Year and led Stanford to its second consecutive appearance in the College Cup final. She led the nation in goals (26), points (60) and points per game (2.50). Press netted 10 game-winning goals and added eight assists. She becomes the second Cardinal in as many years to be voted a finalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy (2009 winner Kelley O’Hara).

The MAC has honored the top player in collegiate soccer since 1986. Some of the biggest names in soccer, such as Mia Hamm and Claudio Reyna, have won the award. For a complete list of past winners, go to www.mac-hermann-trophy.org.

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