Indiana University Athletics
Bruin Named MAC Hermann Trophy Finalist
12/10/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Dec. 10, 2010
MAC Hermann Trophy Finalist Announcement 
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Indiana University men's soccer junior forward Will Bruin was named one of three finalists for the Missouri Athletic Club Hermann Trophy, it was announced Friday. Bruin is joined by Akron's Darlington Nagbe and Louisville's Colin Rolfe on the finalist list. The finalists were determined in voting by Division I men's head coaches at institutions who are members of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA).
The three players will travel to St. Louis, Mo. for a press conference on Jan. 7 where the winner will be announced. A banquet at the Club that evening will feature the formal presentation of the prestigious crystal soccer ball trophy to the winner.
"We are very proud of Will and all his accomplishments this year," said IU head coach Todd Yeagley, himself a winner of the 1994 MAC Player of the Year trophy. "Being recognized as one of the top three players in the nation is a wonderful honor. Will joins a distinguished group of IU players who have helped IU Soccer become a special program over the years. Our current team, alumni and loyal fans all share in this distinguished honor."
"I am very excited and honored to be included in the same category as former IU standouts," Bruin said.
Bruin had an outstanding season for the Hoosiers, tallying 18 goals and five assists for 41 points. His 18 goals are the most by a Hoosier this century and he was honored with the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year award. A unanimous first-team All-Big Ten selection, Bruin was also named to the Top Drawer Soccer team of the season and was a three-time Big Ten Player of the Week honoree in 2010.
Five times this season Bruin scored multiple goals in a match, beginning with three in a 5-1 victory over then-No. 5 UCLA on Sept. 5. He also had a pair of goals in a 3-2 win at No. 11 Creighton, and two goals in a 3-0 win at Michigan State. With Northwestern holding a 2-0 lead and the Big Ten regular season title on the line, Bruin scored two goals to tie the match as the Hoosiers went on to a 3-2 victory for their 14th Big Ten regular season crown. In the Hoosiers' 5-1 win over No. 23 Tulsa in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, Bruin contributed two goals and a pair of assists.
The St. Louis native tallied three game-winning scores on the season, including a goal with 11 seconds remaining in regulation to give Indiana a 3-2 win at No. 20 Penn State. Bruin tallied at least one goal in 12 of 20 matches in 2010.
For his career Bruin started all 66 matches, with 33 goals and nine assists for 75 points. Eleven of his career strikes have been game winners. His 33 career goals ranks tied for 15th in school history, while his 257 shots is ninth on the all-time IU lists. Bruin's 18 goals this season is 14th in Hoosier history, with his 41 points ranking just outside the top 15. Bruin took 103 shots this season, tied for fourth among IU's single-season records.
The MAC has honored the top player in collegiate soccer since 1986. Prior to 2002, the Missouri Athletic Club and Hermann Trophy were two separate awards. Two IU players earned the MAC Player of the Year trophy on three occasions with Ken Snow taking the honor in 1988 and 1990, and Yeagley in 1994. Hoosiers collected five Hermann trophies with Angelo DiBernardo in 1978, Armando Betancourt in 1981, Ken Snow in 1988 and 1990, and Brian Maisonneuve in 1994. Danny O'Rourke won the combined award in 2004. For a complete list of past winners, go to www.mac-hermann-trophy.org.
