University of Connecticut men's soccer player Julius James (Maloney Gardens, Trinidad) has been named to the 2007 Missouri Athletic Club’s Hermann Trophy Watch List for the third consecutive season. The complete list of 29, announced by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA), was compiled by a panel of the organization's coaches.
James, a two-time NSCAA All-America selection, finished his junior season in 2006 as the BIG EAST Defender of the Year for the second-straight year, as well as a M.A.C. Hermann Trophy semifinalist. He helped the Huskies hold opponents to 1.17 goals per game this season, while tallying five shutouts on the year and leading the Huskies to as high as No. 7 in the nation. As a two-time All-BIG EAST First Team honoree, James played and started in all 19 games last season, tallying two goals, including the game-winner at Marquette and one in the NCAA Tournament First Round game against Fairfield.
The Watch List also features fellow BIG EAST players Joe Lapira, the defending Hermann Trophy winner from Notre Dame, and Ryan Madura from Providence. Reigning NCAA Division I national champion UC-Santa Barbara and Creighton University were the only two schools to have multiple players on the Watch List, and indication of the level of parity in intercollegiate play. Senior defender Andy Iro and junior midfielder Eric Avila represent the Gauchos, while senior goalkeeper Matt Allen and junior forward Byron Dacy hail from Creighton.
Players are selected to the MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List by a committee of Division I coaches who are NSCAA members. In November, the list will be narrowed to 15 semifinalists. Three finalists will be named in early December in conjunction with the NCAA Division I College Cup and will be invited to the Missouri Athletic Club on Friday, January 11, 2008. The winner of the 2007 award will be announced during a nationally-televised news conference that evening.