Nov. 12, 2006
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Notre Dame’s Greg Dalby (Poway, Calif./Poway) and Joseph Lapira (Lake Charles, La./Saint Louis Catholic) have been named semifinalists for the 2006 Missouri Athletic Club (M.A.C.) Hermann Trophy, the most prestigious individual award in intercollegiate soccer. The trophy is presented annually to the top male and female Division I soccer player in the United States. The award is the official National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Player of the Year award for Division I competition.
This marks the second straight season that Dalby, a senior midfielder, has been tabbed as a semifinalist for the Hermann Trophy. Dalby was named the 2006 BIG EAST Midfielder of the Year and was a unanimous all-conference selection. The Irish co-captain has started all 85 games during his collegiate career. He has totaled four points on two goals this season. Last season, Dalby garnered first-team All-America honors from NSCAA, Soccer Times and College Soccer News.
Dalby and Duke’s Michael Videira are the only two members on this year’s list that were also named semifinalists for the 2005 award. Maryland’s Jason Garey won the 2005 M.A.C. Hermann Trophy.
Lapira leads the nation with 45 points and 20 goals. He was recently selected as the BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Year and was also a unanimous choice on the all-conference first team. The junior forward has tallied seven multiple-goal games this season. He had a seven-game goal streak at one point, which included a stretch of five straight two-goal efforts. His season-high performance was a four-goal display in a 5-4 overtime win at No. 8 Indiana. Lapira has been named the National Player of the Week twice by College Soccer News, Top Drawer Soccer and Soccer Times and received the honor once from Soccer America.
The Fighting Irish also boasted two Hermann Trophy semifinalists during the 2004 season. Defenders Jack Stewart and Kevin Goldthwaite were named to the list, becoming the first players in program history selected to the final 15 for the prestigious award.
Notre Dame is one of three teams with two players on this year’s ballot. Reigning national champion Maryland offers midfielders Maurice Edu and Stephen King, while SMU placed midfielder Bruno Guarda and defender Jay Needham on the list.
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.
Notre Dame (13-5-2) is the No. 12 national seed for the 2006 NCAA Men’s Soccer Championship. The Fighting Irish, who received a first-round bye, will take on Illinois-Chicago in the second round of the tournament this Wednesday (Nov. 15) at Alumni Field. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m.
MEN’S 2006 M.A.C. HERMANN TROPHY SEMIFINALISTS
Player Pos. Class School Andrew Boyens D Sr. New MexicoGreg Dalby M Sr. Notre DameCharlie Davies F Jr. Boston CollegeJohn DiRaimondo M Sr. Saint LouisMaurice Edu M Jr. MarylandBruno Guarda M So. SMUTally Hall GK Sr. San Diego StateJulius James D Jr. ConnecticutStephen King M Jr. MarylandJoseph Lapira F Jr. Notre DameJay Needham D Sr. SMUYannick Reyering F So. VirginiaDane Richards F Sr. ClemsonJarrod Smith F Sr. West VirginiaMichael Videira M Jr. Duke