Dec. 12, 2008

ST. LOUIS, MO. - The ACC Offensive Player of the Year and College Cup Offensive Most Valuable Player, the Pac-10 Player of the Year and the 2006 MAC Hermann Trophy winner comprise the three finalists for the 2008 Missouri Athletic Club Hermann Trophy, the highest individual honor in intercollegiate soccer. The finalists were determined in voting by Division I women's soccer coaches who are members of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA).

Casey Nogueira (Raleigh, N.C.) from North Carolina ,Christina DiMartino (Massapequa, N.Y.) from UCLA and Kerri Hanks (Allen, Texas) of Notre Dame and are the three finalists for the award. The trio will be invited to the Missouri Athletic Club in downtown St. Louis on Friday, Jan. 9, for a news conference, where the winner of the award will be revealed (approximately 7 p.m. EST). A banquet at the Club that evening will feature the formal presentation of the prestigious crystal soccer ball trophy to the winner.

Nogueira, a junior forward, scored both goals in the College Cup finals leading the Tar Heels to a 2-1 victory over Notre Dame. She was named Offensive MVP of the College Cup as UNC won their 19th national championship in school history. Nogueira scored 25 goals and eight assists, while ranking ninth in the nation in points per game (2.07). She earned ACC Offensive Player of the Year, ACC Tournament MVO and NSCAA/adidas All-America honors in 2008.

The MAC has honored the top player in collegiate soccer since 1986. Some of the biggest names in soccer, such as Mia Hamm and Claudio Reyna, have won the award. For a complete list of past winners, go to www.mac-hermann-trophy.org. An exhibition featuring the current and past recipients of the MAC Hermann Trophy is on display at the National Soccer Hall of Fame in Oneonta, N.Y.