Monmouth University soccer midfielder Ryan Clark (Freehold Township) has been named to the Missouri Athletic Club’s Hermann Trophy watch list by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.
Clark, who is a senior, joins R.J. Allen (2011), Max Hamilton (2011), Anthony Vazquez (2011), Ryan Kinne (2009, 2010), Bryan Meredith (2010), Chase Barbieri (2009) and Tom Gray (2007) as recent Monmouth University players who have been named to the Hermann Trophy watch list.
The college player of the year will be honored following the 2012 season.
“I think it’s only fitting that Ryan is on the Hermann Trophy watch list and representing Monmouth,” Hawks’ coach Robert McCourt said. “There has been a long line of guys ahead of him from Monmouth who have done it. He has had an outstanding career so far. He has been a regional All- American, so we are excited for his season ahead of him.” Clark, a three-time All-Northeast Conference First Team selection in his first three years at Monmouth, added All-Region honors last season.
He was named BigAppleSoccer.com Player of the Year after scoring three goals, including two game-winners. He added a Northeast Conference best eight assists.
Clark showed a penchant for producing in big games, scoring two goals in a comefrom behind victory while Monmouth was playing down a man against Princeton, and dishing out a season-high three assists in the Hawks’ 4-0 victory against Long Island University-Brooklyn.
“It is definitely an honor to be listed among some of the top players in the country,” said Clark, who led Freehold Township High School to a Shore Conference Tournament championship in his senior year. “It is a great category to be in. There have been a lot of great players before me on our team and it is great company to be in.”
Monmouth will open the 2012 season on Aug. 24 at Towson University in Maryland.