Aug. 11, 2004
Two University of Notre Dame men’s soccer players have been named to the 2004 Hermann Trophy Watch List, the most prestigious honor in intercollegiate soccer. Senior goalkeeper Chris Sawyer and senior central defender Jack Stewart joined 23 other players from across the country to be considered among the top talents in the nation and ones to watch for outstanding play during the ’04 season. Sawyer and Stewart were two of four BIG EAST Conference players on the list, joining St. John’s Matt Groenwald and Boston College’s Guy Melamed. With two players on the watch list, Notre Dame joins defending national champion Indiana, North Carolina and UCLA as the only four teams in the nation to have two players on the Hermann list. Sawyer and Stewart also become the first Notre Dame players in school history to be named to the men’s Hermann Watch List. Sawyer matched the school record for shutouts last season with 12, including an impressive three straight in the BIG EAST Championship, helping the Irish secure the program’s first conference title since 1996. Sawyer was named the BIG EAST Championship Most Outstanding Defensive Player after the tournament, a trophy that fit well next to his BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Year award. Compiling a 485-minute scoreless minute streak early in the 2003 season, Sawyer eventually played all but 10 minutes of Notre Dame’s matches last season. He held Notre Dame’s opponents to one or zero goals in 20 of 23 matches. Sawyer was also named the 2004 Preseason BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Year.
Chris Sawyer, the Preseason BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Year, has joined teammate Jack Stewart on the Hermann Award Watch List.
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Playing just a few yards in front of Sawyer last year, Stewart anchored the Irish defense as a central defender and will continue in that role for 2004. Known throughout collegiate soccer as one of the best defenders in the nation, Stewart excels in the air and is one of the most physical and intense players on the team. The Torrance, Calif., native has moved up from his defensive position to score two goals and dish off two assists in his career. A list of 15 semifinalists will be announced in November, with three finalists selected in early December. A winner will be announced at the Missouri Athletic Club in St. Louis, Mo., on Jan. 8, 2005. Men’s 2004 MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List Player, Position, Class, School, Hometown Knox Cameron, F, Sr., Michigan, Bronx, N.Y. Blake Camp, M, Jr., Duke, Danielsville, Ga. Leonardo de Oliveira, M, Jr., UAB, Bryan, Texas Mike Enfield, M, Sr., UCLA, Ventura, Calif. Robby Fulton, G, Sr., Stanford, West Linn, Ore. Matt Groenwald, F, Sr., St. John’s, Mount Prospect, Ill. Ugo Ihemelu, D, Sr., Southern Methodist, Cedar Hill, Texas Will John, M, Soph., Saint Louis, Kansas City, Mo. Thabiso (Boyzz)Khumalo, M, Sr., Coastal Carolina, Soweto, South Africa C.J. Klaas, M, Sr., Washington, Cherry Valley, Ill. Aaron Lopez, D, Sr., UCLA, Santa Barbara, Calif. Trevor McEachron, D, Sr., Old Dominion, Woodbridge, Va. Guy Melamed, D, Sr., Boston College, Nofit, Israel Drew Moor, D, Jr., Indiana, Dallas, Texas Julian Nash, F, Sr., Creighton, San Leandro, Calif. Danny O’Rourke, M, Sr., Indiana, Columbus, Ohio Michael Parkhurst, D, Jr., Wake Forest, Cranston, R.I. Ryan Pore, F, Jr., Tulsa, Mansfield, Ohio Alejandro Salazar, F, Jr., Portland, Portland, Ore. Chris Sawyer, G, Sr., Notre Dame, Highlands Ranch, Colo. Jack Stewart, D, Sr., Notre Dame, Torrance, Calif. Marcus Storey, F, Sr., North Carolina, Missouri City, Texas Abe Thompson, F, Sr., Maryland, Fairfax Station, Va. Eric Vasquez, M, Sr., Central Florida, Miami, Fla. Jamie Watson, F, Soph., North Carolina, Coppell, Texas