STANFORD, Calif. – All-Americans Tomas Hilliard-Arce and Foster Langsdorf have been named to the 2017 MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List. Stanford is the only institution in the country with multiple players selected.
Thirty-one players made the men's watch list, which is compiled by the United Soccer Coaches Men's NCAA Division I All-America Committee, based on analysis of returning All-America and All-Region players, as well as any prominent newcomers.
The MAC Hermann Trophy, the most coveted individual honor in NCAA Division I soccer, has been awarded annually since 1967. Following the 2015 season, two-time Stanford All-American and 2016 MLS Rookie of the Year Jordan Morris became the first Cardinal men's player to win the honor. This year's winners will be announced Friday, Jan. 5, 2018, at the trophy presentation banquet at the Missouri Athletic Club in St. Louis.
Stanford is the only team in the country returning multiple NSCAA All-Americans in 2017 in Hilliard-Arce and Langsdorf. Since their arrival on campus in 2014, Stanford is the winningest program in the country by percentage with an overall record of 46-8-11 (.792) and has won back-to-back national championships and three consecutive Pac-12 titles.
A 2016 MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist and the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year, Hilliard-Arce anchored a Cardinal defense that finished fourth nationally in goals against average (0.56) from his spot at center back. Stanford's goals against average tied for the second-best mark in program history and its 13 shutouts also tied for third in the country and were its most since 2000 (16).
Also an All-Pac-12 first team selection, Hilliard-Arce was a set-piece threat and finished second on the team in goals (4) and fourth in points (10). He became Stanford's eighth first-time All-American a year ago, joining a list that includes Jordan Morris (2014, 2015), Brandon Vincent (2014, 2015), Bobby Warshaw (2009), Todd Dunivant (2002), Lee Morrison (2001), Ryan Nelsen (2000) and Jamie Clark (1998).
Langsdorf's career-high 15 goals as a junior tied for eighth in program history, were the most for a Cardinal since Willie Guicci had 22 in 1981 and the highest total in the Pac-12 since 2011. The management science and engineering major ended his 2016 campaign fourth nationally in total goals, 10th in goals per game (0.65) and led the country in game-winning goals (8).
Last season, he was voted Co-Pac-12 Player of the Year and a second-team All-American. Langsdorf, Jordan Morris (2015), Roger Levesque (2001) and Ryan Nelsen (2000) are the only Cardinal players to win recognition as the conference's player of the year.
Thirteen of Stanford's scheduled matches this fall are at Laird Q. Cagan Stadium, including a pair of free exhibitions against Portland (Aug. 13) and Pacific (Aug. 19). The Cardinal has posted a 27-2-6 (.857) record at home over the past three seasons with a goals against average of 0.52.
Stanford's regular-season home opener is on Friday, Sept. 1 at 7 p.m. against No. 14 Creighton.
Season ticket memberships, mini plans and single-game tickets are currently on sale by visiting gostanford.com/msoctickets or calling 800-STANFORD.