UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Three Penn State women's soccer student-athletes, senior Kaleigh Riehl and juniors Sam Coffey and Frankie Tagliaferri, have been named to the MAC Hermann Trophy watch list for college soccer's top honor. The MAC Hermann Trophy is presented annually to United Soccer Coaches National Players of the Year in NCAA Division I in men's and women's soccer as voted on by NCAA Division I coaches.
Senior Kaleigh Riehl (Fairfax Station, Va.) was named a semifinalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy in 2018. Riehl anchored the Nittany Lions defense that allowed just 13 goals. She was named a first team All-American and the Big Ten Defender of the Year.
Junior Sam Coffey (Sleepy Hollow, N.Y.) joined Riehl as a first team All-American last season. As a sophomore at Boston College in 2018, Coffey was named ACC Midfielder of the Year along with being a semifinalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy. Coffey tallied 38 points, scored 12 goals and added 14 assists while playing for Eagles prior to transferring to Penn State.
Junior Frankie Tagliaferri (Colts Neck, N.J.) is the third Nittany Lion on the Mac Hermann watch list. Tagliaferri was tied for the team lead with 19 points as a sophomore. Tagliafetti scored seven goals and added five assists in 2018. She earned first team All-Region and first team All-Big Ten honors for her performance last season.
In program history, two Nittany Lions have won the prestigious MAC Hermann Trophy. Raquel Rodriguez '15 most recently won the award in 2015 as she led the Nittany Lions to their first national championship in program history. Christie Welsh '02 was the first Nittany Lion to claim the MAC Hermann Trophy in 2001 and is still considered one of the most accomplished players in the history of women's soccer.
"We're thrilled to see Kaleigh, Sam and Frankie listed to the MAC Hermann watch list and believe it's a testament to the strength of this program and the environment they are afforded by their teammates, staff and Penn State University. We're excited to get the season started!" Head coach Erica Dambach said of the three student-athletes on the watch list.
The remaining timeline for the MAC Hermann trophy is as follows:
December 3 - Semifinalists are announced (15 men and 15 women)
December 13 - Finalists are announced (3 men and 3 women)
January 10, 2020 - Hermann Trophy winners (1 man and 1 woman) are announced at the Hermann Trophy Press Conference and Awards Banquet at the Missouri Athletic Club in St. Louis, Missouri.
For more information on Penn State women's soccer, visit gopsusports.com.
