COLLEGE PARK, MD -- After an extraordinary season for Maryland Men's Soccer that saw a Big Ten Championship and Elite Eight appearance, Lasse Kelp has been named a MAC Hermann Trophy Semifinalist. The MAC Hermann Trophy is the most coveted individual honor in NCAA Division I soccer and has been awarded annually since 1967.

The Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, Kelp was the cornerstone of one of the nation's top defensive units, playing all 1,730 minutes this season for the Terps — the full 90 in every match, plus 110 in the NCAA Tournament game vs. UNC. Maryland led the Big Ten in goal differential and posted shutouts in nine games, allowing just 12 goals in the regular season. Kelp added one goal and two assists, including a crucial 85th-minute equalizer at Penn State. The German native earned one Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honor, became the third Terp ever to win Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, and looks to become the third Terp to win the MAC Hermann Trophy joining Jason Garey (2005) and Patrick Mullins (2012, 2013).

Three men's finalists will be named for the award on Wednesday, Dec. 17 after voting by NCAA Division I coaches who are members of United Soccer Coaches. Fans are encouraged to vote for their favorite player here for the men's semifinal ballot.