COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Maryland senior defender Alex Crognale and sophomore forward Gordon Wild have been named two of 15 semifinalists in consideration for the 2016 MAC Hermann Trophy, the National Soccer Coaches Association of America announced on Tuesday.
The Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and a First Team All-Big Ten selection, Crognale was named Big Ten Tournament Most Valuable Defensive Player after guiding the Terps to a third straight Big Ten tourney title and fourth conference tournament championship overall. A defender by trade, Crognale finished the season with six goals and captained of a young Maryland squad that set a program-record for consecutive wins (15) and accomplished an unbeaten regular season (16-0-2). The Gahanna, Ohio, native also helped match a school-record with five consecutive shutouts (9/23-10/10).
The Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, Wild ranked in the top three nationally in both goals and points for the Big Ten tournament and regular season champion Terps. A First Team All-Big Ten pick, Wild also garnered Big Ten Tournament Most Valuable Offensive Player honors in his first season in College Park after transferring from USC Upstate where he scored 16 goals as a rookie. His 17 goals in 2016 are the most for a Terrapin since two-time MAC Hermann Trophy winner Patrick Mullins.
The 15 semifinalists for the 2016 MAC Hermann Trophy are determined by All-America voting conducted by NCAA Division I men's soccer coaches with oversight from the NSCAA NCAA Division I Men's Senior College All-America Committee. The three finalists, including the recipient of the 2016 MAC Hermann Trophy, will be determined by voting conducted by NCAA Division I men's soccer coaches combined with a fan vote conducted on MACHermannTrophy.org.
