The National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) announced West Virginia’s Kadeisha Buchanan, Penn State’s Raquel Rodriguez, and Virginia’s Emily Sonnett as the three finalists for the 2015 MAC Hermann Trophy.
The MAC Hermann Trophy is awarded annually to the nation’s top college player. The winner will be announced on Friday, January 8, 2016.
Buchanan, a junior defender from Ontario, Canada, is the three-time reigning Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year and three-time All-American. She helped lead West Virginia to the Elite Eight. She was named to the Big 12 All-Academic Second Team. Buchanan started all five of Canada’s matches at the 2015 FIFA World Cup and was named Best Young Player as well as to the FIFA All-Star Squad.
Rodriquez, a senior midfielder from San Jose, Costa Rica, is an All-American who started all 27 matches for Penn State. Rodriguez scored the game-winning goal in Penn State’s 1-0 win over Duke in the final of the College Cup and was named to the All-Tournament Team. She was named to the College Sports Information of America Academic All-District Two first team. Internationally, Rodriquez scored Costa Rica’s first goal in a Women’s World Cup at the 2015 World Cup, becoming the first Nittany Lion to score in a World Cup.
Sonnett, a senior defender from Marietta, Georgia, is the ACC Defensive Player of the Year and named espnW’s Player of the Year. The two-time All-American helped Virginia record 15 shutouts this season and was key in a Virginia defense that allowed only 12 goals on the season. Sonnett received her first cap with the senior U.S. Women’s National Team on October 25, 2015.