PDL Feature
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Reading United’s Ryan Finley, Steven Neumann and Jose Gomez led the PDL alumni named as semifinalists for the MAC Hermann Trophy on Wednesday. The finalists for the most prestigious award in NCAA Soccer will be announced next week, with eight of the semifinalists having gained experience in the PDL.
Finley completed his standout college career at Notre Dame this fall by leading the Fighting Irish to the No. 1-seed in the NCAA Tournament. Finley led the Fighting Irish with 21 goals and 46 points this season, good for second in the nation in both categories. For Reading this past summer, Finley appeared eight times, scoring twice, as United reached the PDL Playoffs.
Neumann had a standout summer in Reading, recording three goals and four assists in 10 appearances, and his form continued upon his return to Georgetown this fall. Recording seven goals and 12 assists for the Hoyas, Neumann and his teammates have the chance to advance to the College Cup on Saturday as they host San Diego at 1 p.m. ET.
Gomez and Creighton also remain alive in their pursuit of a national championship after the Bluejays upset Akron on penalty kicks, with the United midfielder playing a key role in his side’s success this fall. The creative engine, Gomez has recorded six goals and eight assists for the Bluejays this fall, leading them to the Missouri Valley Conference championship.
Other top contenders for the award include the New Orleans Jesters’ Patrick Mullins, who has starred for Maryland this fall after recording 12 goals and three assists in the past two seasons in the PDL. Leading the Terrapins to this weekend’s quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament, and his side to the ACC Championship, Mullins has scored 15 goals and added eight assists this fall, bolstering his standing as a top MLS prospect.
Finley’s teammate at Notre Dame, Dillon Powers, was also named, with the Austin Aztex standout leading the Fighting Irish with nine assists this season. A former U.S. U20 international, Powers also scored five goals this season as he played a key role in his side’s midfield.
The Michigan Bucks’ Scott Caldwell also earned selection, with the Akron standout playing a key role in the Zips’ continued success this season. Caldwell led Akron with 28 points this season, recording nine goals and 10 assists, leading the side to its ninth consecutive Mid-American Conference title.
Other players named as semifinalists include former Carolina Dynamo standout Chris Thomas of Elon, who leads the nation with 23 goals this season. Meanwhile, River City Rovers defender Andrew Farrell has been a key figure in Louisville’s success this season, with the center back starting all 20 games while also chipping in four goals and one assist for the Cardinals.