Akpan named to Hermann Trophy Watch List

The National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) has named forward Andre Akpan ’10 — co-captain of the Harvard men’s soccer team — to the 2009 Missouri Athletic Club’s Hermann Trophy Watch List. Considered the highest individual honor in intercollegiate soccer, the recipients of the Hermann Trophy are selected by Division I head coaches who are current members of the NSCAA.

As this year’s only Ivy League selection, the Grand Prairie, Texas, native is coming off a season in which his 26 points led the Ivy League, and his 10 goals and six assists were both tied for second-best in the league.

Akpan, the Crimson’s all-time leader in points (97) and assists (27), was a 2007 and 2008 Hermann Trophy semifinalist and was named to the 2008 All-Ivy League first team.

He also enters the season third-place on Harvard’s all-time goals-scored list (35), and needs three goals to pass Charlie Thomas ’72 to take sole possession of second place in goals scored.

The Crimson return seven starters this season and will open the 2009 season at home against Stony Brook on Friday (Sept. 4) at 4 p.m.