Aug. 13, 2012

KANSAS CITY, Kan. - Men's soccer players Mark Sherrod and Liam Collins and women's soccer player Christabel Oduro were named to the Missouri Athletic Club's (MAC) Herman Trophy Watch Lists, the organization announced Monday.

The MAC Herman Trophy is the highest individual award in intercollegiate soccer presented annually in January during a banquet at the Missouri Athletic Club in St. Louis.

Each list will be narrowed down by NSCAA members from Division I programs to 15 semifinalists by November 29. Member coaches and fans will then vote for their top three choices and the finalists will be announced December 6. The winners will be announced at the awards' banquet at the Missouri Athletic Club on Friday, Jan. 11.

In 2011, Sherrod was a finalist for the MAC Herman Trophy. As a sophomore, the Knoxville, Tenn., native led the nation in goals per game (1.06), second in points per game (2.33), third in total goals (19), and fourth in total points (42).

Sherrod was named 2011 NSCAA All-America Third team, College Soccer News Third Team All-American, NSCAA ALL-Midwest Region first team, 2011 Conference USA Player of the Year, 2011 C-USA Offensive Player of the Year and C-USA All-Conference first team. The Tigers forward was recently named 2012 Preseason Offensive Player of the Year and 2012 Preseason All-C-USA.

During the 2011 campaign, Collins ranked fourth in the nation in total assists (11) and assists per game (0.61) while leading C-USA in both categories. Following his sophomore campaign, Collins was named C-USA All-Conference first team and the Ireland native's 11 assists is the third most in a single-season in the program's history. Additionally, Collins was named 2012 Preseason All-C-USA.

"You will not two harder working players in our program," men's head soccer coach Richie Grant said. "It's great for Mark and Liam and it's great for our program, they're two players coming off great seasons. Now the goal for us is for them to have strong seasons."

Oduro, the 2011 C-USA Offensive Player of the Year, posted an impressive 39-point sophomore campaign with 16 goals and seven assists. A member of the Canada U20 squad, Oduro, one of 38 women on the preseason list, could miss up to four matches this fall due to the FIFA U20 World Cup that runs from Aug. 19-Sept. 8 in Japan.

"We have high expectations for Christabel and all our big-time players," women's soccer head coach Brooks Monaghan said. "Christabel has all the tools and she obviously showed that last year with what she did. Obviously, we miss Christabel and the other girls, but playing for your country will give them even more confidence in the long run. She's an upperclassman now and we will look to her to help carry this team."

Oduro joins Ashley Berra (2010) and Vendula Strnadova (2010) as U of M women's soccer players to earn the preseason distinction. Last season, Lizzy Simonin was named a semifinalist for the award.

Joining Oduro on the 2012 Watch List are men's soccer players Mark Sherrod and Liam Collins. With the three players named to the watch list, Memphis joins West Virginia and Virginia as the only programs with representatives from both men's and women's soccer.

"I think this speaks volumes for the University of Memphis," Monaghan said. "I don't think there are many programs around the country that have each program represented for this great honor. Mark (Sherrod) and Liam (Collins) are very deserving of this honor and it shows where Memphis Soccer is going. We are the biggest fans of the men's program and wish them all the success in the world."

Women's soccer opens the 2012 season on Friday in Columbia, Mo., against the Missouri Tigers. Kickoff is slated for 6:30 p.m. Men's soccer plays two exhibition games this weekend before opening the regular season against Wisconsin on Friday, August 24 at the Mike Rose Soccer Complex.

The full list of men's and women's soccer Herman Trophy Watch Lists can be found here.