STANFORD, Calif. – Andi Sullivan was named a Missouri Athletic Club Hermann Trophy finalist, as announced Wednesday by the organization.
Sullivan becomes the first Cardinal finalist for the nation's most prestigious individual award since 2011 when Teresa Noyola and Lindsay Taylor were recognized.
Sullivan could become the fourth Stanford player to win the award in program history when the winner is announced Jan. 6 in St. Louis, Missouri, at the MAC Hermann Trophy banquet. Joining Sullivan will be West Virginia's Kadeisha Buchanan and USC's Morgan Andrews.
The Cardinal claimed three consecutive awards from 2009-11 with Kelley O'Hara, Christen Press and Noyola. Stanford is the only program in the country to win the Hermann Trophy in three consecutive years.
"Andi is very deserving of this recognition," said Stanford head coach Paul Ratcliffe. "She was a dominant force in the midfield and helped lead our team to a Pac-12 championship and a top seed in the NCAA Tournament. She's one of the best leaders I've ever coached."
Andi Sullivan recorded career bests in every major statistical category in 2016.
Sullivan, a management science and engineering major, was the only collegiate player in the country called into multiple senior U.S. Women's National Team camps during the season and started four games with the national team in a pair of games against Switzerland and Romania. She received rave reviews for her performances from head coach Jill Ellis, national team players, broadcasters and media members.
Sullivan became the 10th Stanford player capped by the USWNT and the seventh to start in her first appearance. She is the first Stanford player to earn a USWNT cap while still on the Cardinal's active roster since Nicole Barnhart ('04).
Andi Sullivan (@sunshine_sully) with a sweet ball over the top to @ChristenPress for the #USWNT's third. #USAvSUI https://t.co/DviVH4Gkm8
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) October 23, 2016
Sullivan recorded two assists in four games with the USWNT.
Sullivan helped lead Stanford to its second consecutive Pac-12 title and an 18-2-1 record – the team's 11th consecutive season with 15 or more victories. The Cardinal has won six of the past eight conference titles.
Sullivan had a career year with the Cardinal, registering career highs and leading Stanford in points (29), goals (11) and game-winning goals (4). She was named the Pac-12 Player of the Year and earned All-Pac-12 first team honors for the third consecutive season.
.@sunshine_sully with her 11th of the year. #GoStanford https://t.co/LlXTAK46nK
— Stanford Soccer (@StanfordWSoccer) November 4, 2016
Sullivan clinched Stanford's second straight Pac-12 title, scoring the game-winning goal at California in the regular season finale.
Sullivan's impact goes beyond statistics. Her leadership, defense, distribution and ability to attack with pace makes her a unique centerpiece. Sullivan is an elite defender with a blistering shot from distance and shoulders a majority of the free-kick and corner kick responsibilities.
The Missouri Athletic Club has been presenting college soccer's player of the year awards since 1986. The MAC was established in 1903 as an athletic, dining and social club. To learn more about the Missouri Athletic Club, go to mac-stl.org.