Men's Soccer: Gaddis Named to Hermann Watch List
August 11, 2010 02:26 PM | General
August 11, 2010
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| Ray Gaddis |
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - Junior Ray Gaddis of the West Virginia University men’s soccer team has been named to the 2010 Missouri Athletic Club (M.A.C.) Hermann Trophy Watch List, released by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) today.
The award is considered the highest individual honor in college soccer and the players on the watch list are selected by Division I head coaches who are members of the NSCAA. Gaddis is the first Mountaineer men’s player since Jarrod Smith, an eventual semifinalist in 2006, to be on the watch list.
“Ray Gaddis has developed into one of college soccer's premier defenders,” coach Marlon LeBlanc stated. “For a defender, especially a right back, to be named to this list is quite an honor and evidence to how good he is at his trade. I am looking forward to Ray's junior season and expect him to be a driving force towards great team success in 2010.”
A native of Indianapolis, Ind., Gaddis is one of 39 members on the list and is one of only three members from the BIG EAST Conference. Gaddis has played in 35 career games, starting 34 and has been an anchor of the nationally-ranked Mountaineer defense his previous two seasons. Gaddis was also a first-team selection on the NSCAA all-Northeast Region squad in 2009.
“It’s a great honor to represent West Virginia University in being considered a candidate for such a prestigious honor as the Hermann Trophy,” Gaddis said. “I am very honored to be considered among the nation’s best in collegiate soccer.”
Gaddis is only one of six defenders on the list and will be facing seven co-watch list players on the pitch this season including; Clint Irwin (Elon), C.J. Sapong (James Madison), Ryan Kinne (Monmouth), Bryan Meredith (Monmouth), Indy Smith (UNC Wilmington), Jeffrey Attinella (USF) and Nathaniel Baako (William & Mary).
The NSCAA will release a list of 15 semifinalists in late November, with three finalists announced in early December. The three finalists will be invited to the M.A.C. banquet in St. Louis, Mo., for a news conference on Friday, Jan. 7, 2011, where the winner will be announced.
The WVU men’s soccer team begins its preseason on Monday, Aug. 16, and will open up the season against Monmouth on Sept. 3 at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
