Aug. 12, 2009

Center Valley, Pa.- A pair of Patriot League men's soccer players were recognized Tuesday as two of the elite men's soccer players in America after being named to the Missouri Athletic Club's Hermann Trophy Watch List. Bucknell senior midfielder Conor O'Brien and Colgate senior forward Alex Weekes are among the 38 standouts from NCAA Division I men's soccer named to the list.

O'Brien is a Hermann Trophy candidate for the second year in a row. The reigning Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year is one of 38 student-athletes under consideration for the national player of the year award. Considered the highest individual honor in intercollegiate soccer, the recipients of the MAC's Hermann Trophy are selected by Division I head coaches who are current members of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America. A team captain, O'Brien was an NSCAA/adidas All-Mid-Atlantic Second Team selection a year ago, his second straight year on that squad. He led the Patriot League in points (22) and assists (8) and ranked second in goals (7) in 2008, and was later named the conference's offensive player of the year and a first team all-league choice.

Weekes led the Raiders in both points (21) and goals (8) last season as Colgate won its second consecutive Patriot League Tournament title and advanced to the NCAA Tournament. Weekes, who was chosen as the Patriot League tournament's Most Valuable Player, scored both goals in the Raiders 2-0 win against Holy Cross in the conference finals. He was also selected to the 2008 National Soccer Coaches Association of America All-Regional first team and the All-Patriot League second team.

The Hermann Trophy is considered one of the highest individual honors in intercollegiate soccer. Hermann Trophy recipients are selected by Division I head coaches who are current members of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America. The list will be narrowed down to 15 players in November, and three finalists will be announced in December. A men's recipient and a women's recipient will be announced on January 8, 2010 at the Missouri Athletic Club in St. Louis. Past award winners include some of the biggest names in U.S. soccer including Mia Hamm, Claudio Reyna, Tony Meola and Kristine Lilly.