2025 Men’s MAC Hermann Trophy Semifinalists Announced
- Jonathan Turner
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
NATIONAL SOCCER NEWS: www.nationalsoccernetwork.com
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The race for college soccer’s most prestigious individual honor is officially underway as the Missouri Athletic Club unveiled the 2025 Men’s MAC Hermann Trophy Semifinalists, recognizing fifteen of the nation’s top performers from across NCAA Division I.
Since 1967, the MAC Hermann Trophy has stood as the highest individual award in college soccer, celebrating excellence, impact, and consistency at the national level. This year’s semifinalists represent a broad cross-section of programs and playing styles, showcasing elite talent at every position—from dynamic goal scorers to lockdown defenders and standout goalkeepers.
Programs from across the country are represented, including Georgetown, Indiana, Clemson, Washington, Virginia, SMU, West Virginia, and NC State, among others. Only two schools, Georgetown and NC State, feature multiple semifinalists this season.
The list includes some of the NCAA’s most electric offensive threats, such as Indiana’s Palmer Ault, West Virginia’s Marcus Caldeira, and Georgetown’s Mitchell Baker, alongside several of the nation’s top midfield creators and ball-winners, including Clemson’s Ransford Gyan and Furman’s Diego Hernandez Jr.
On the defensive end, standout center backs like Maryland’s Lasse Kelp, Seton Hall’s Agustin Resch, and SMU’s Slade Starnes headline the list of backline anchors, while Vermont’s Niklas Herceg earns recognition as one of the country’s top goalkeepers. NC State’s Nikola Markovic and Donavan Phillip also appear on the ballot after leading the Wolfpack to one of the strongest two-way seasons in the nation.
After the next round of voting by United Soccer Coaches members, three finalists will be announced on Wednesday, Dec. 17. The 2025 MAC Hermann Trophy winner will be revealed during a press conference at the historic Missouri Athletic Club in St. Louis on Jan. 9, 2026, followed by a celebratory banquet honoring all finalists.
Fans are encouraged to participate in the selection process by voting online at machermanntrophy.com.
2025 Men's MAC Hermann Trophy Semifinalists
Name | Class | Position | School | Hometown |
Richie Aman | Sr. | M | University of Washington | Hanover, N.H. |
Palmer Ault | Sr. | F | Indiana University | Noblesville, Ind. |
Mitchell Baker | So. | F | Georgetown University | Melbourne, Australia |
Marcus Caldeira | Sr. | F | West Virginia University | Mississauga, Ont. |
Junior Diouf | Fr. | F | Grand Canyon University | Thies, Senegal |
Ransford Gyan | So. | M | Clemson University | Sunyani, Ghana |
Niklas Herceg | So. | K | University of Vermont | Alsdorf, Germany |
Diego Hernandez Jr. | Jr. | M | Furman University | Mesquite, Texas |
Lasse Kelp | Sr. | D | University of Maryland | Bonn, Germany |
Nikola Markovic | So. | D | NC State University | Gatineau, Que. |
Donavan Phillip | Jr. | F | NC State University | Castries, Saint Lucia |
Agustin Resch | Sr. | D | Seton Hall University | Arata, Argentina |
Nick Simmonds | Fr. | F | University of Virginia | Midlothian, Va. |
Slade Starnes | Sr. | D | Southern Methodist University | Dallas, Texas |
Zach Zengue | So. | M | Georgetown University | North Oaks, Minn. |
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