Reading Lands Four on 2010 MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List
8.17.10
READING, PA (August 17, 2010) – Reading United A.C. player accolades are mounting even though the PDL season ended nearly two weeks ago. The National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) released their annual MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List and the 2010 edition features four players who helped Reading United A.C. to the 2010 Eastern Conference crown and Final Four appearance.
Raymon Gaddis (junior, defender, West Virginia), C.J. Sapong (senior, forward, James Madison), Billy Schuler (junior, forward, UNC), and Andrew Wenger (sophomore, midfield/defender, Duke) were part of the 39 man list released last week by the NSCAA. The MAC Hermann Award is the intercollegiate soccer award given to the top male and female player in the country. The recipients are selected by NSCAA Division 1 coaches who are members of the NSCAA.
Reading’s PDL Coach of the Year Finalist, Brendan Burke, stated, “We are very proud at Reading to have our team represented by four players on the 2010 watch list. Each of these players exemplifies a professional approach to the game and the tremendous talent pool that a PDL club like Reading United can bring together each summer. We hope that the experience of playing with other top players from around the country over the summer has helped each of these players prepare for excellent college seasons and long professional careers when the time comes.”
Raymon Gaddis was a key figure to Reading’s early season defensive success, often providing not only stellar defending, but using his speed to create offensive forays from the back. Andrew Wenger was instrumental in providing consistency for the Reading defense and midfield. Wenger started the season used primarily as a midfield player, but late season injuries and collegiate call-backs forced him into an outside back position, which he handled effortlessly. His smooth play and confidence on the ball was pivotal to Reading’s successful run through the Eastern Conference tournament in Ottawa, Canada. Billy Schuler proved his worth to the Reading United A.C. team and fans when he burst through in the first game of the year, scoring Reading’s first goal of the 2010 campaign. Unfortunately a shoulder injury midway through the season resulted in limited time for Billy towards the end of the season. Like Andrew Wenger in the defensive midfield, All Eastern Conference selection, CJ Sapong was a consistent threat to opposing teams the entire season. Using his size and deft touch, CJ tortured opposing defenses and not only allowed him to be one of the leading scorers for Reading, but also allowed Reading to open up space and opportunities for 15 different players to score for Reading in 2010.
“Each of these players is very deserving of this acknowledgement. It is rewarding to know that the collegiate coaches and NSCAA are aware of what we saw in action this summer here in Reading. Not only their play on the field, but their first class personalities off the field make each of these young men top prospects for future professional careers.”, stated Reading President Art Auchenbach.
Voting for the MAC Hermann Trophy is conducted in late November, when a field of 15 semifinalists is reduced to three finalists. Those three will be invited to the Missouri Athletic Club in St. Louis on Friday, Jan. 7, 2011, where a news conference will be held to announce the winner, followed by a banquet to honor the three finalists. The complete watch list can be found at: http://www.nscaa.com/articles/20100811101913588.php
Reading United A.C. finished the 2010 PDL season with a third straight Mid-Atlantic Division crown, 2nd Eastern Conference Championship title and a spot in the 2010 PDL Final Four.
ABOUT READING UNITED AC
Reading United A.C. (formerly Reading Rage) is the Greater Reading area’s premier minor league soccer team. Led by the ownership group of Berks Professional Sports, Inc. the club was founded in 1995 as the Reading Rage. As the club entered its 15th season a name, logo, and color change was made to better feature the ties to the local and state community as well as the soccer goals of the team and its partners. Reading United is a Player Development Partner of the Philadelphia Union MLS team. For more information about Reading United AC, visit http://www.readingunitedac.com.
Follow Us