KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Aug. 24, 2023) – Four CAA men’s soccer players have been named to the 37-player preseason watch list for the MAC Hermann Trophy.
Elon’s
Franc Gamiz Quer and
Scott Vatne, along with Hofstra’s
Ryan Carmichael and
Eliot Goldthorp, all received preseason recognition and make the CAA one of only three conferences in the country with four or more selections.
Gamiz Quer returns to lead a Phoenix backline that was one of the best in the country a year ago. The Sabadell, Spain, native helped Elon to a single-season school record 11 clean sheets last season and only 12 goals allowed. He also played every minute on the pitch last fall and was selected as an All-CAA first team honoree while receiving United Soccer Coaches All-Atlantic Region first team honors. This preseason, the center back was selected as one of 24 defenders on the United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division I Defender Watch List while being a 2023 Preseason All-CAA selection.
Vatne also earned preseason recognition by the United Soccer Coaches Association as the Klepp, Norway, native was one of 25 players named to the Midfielders to Watch List. A first team All-CAA selection in 2022 and a 2023 Preseason All-CAA choice, Vatne is the Phoenix's leading returning scorer in goals (three) and total points (12). He tied the team-lead in assists last fall with six and led the maroon and gold in total shots with 39 with 20 of those coming on goal. Vatne concluded his sophomore season by being selected as a first team All-Atlantic Region.
Goldthorp, a midfielder who earned Second-Team United Soccer Coaches All-America honors and First-Team All-CAA accolades a season ago and was selected as the 2023 CAA Preseason Player of the Year, put together a stellar 2022 campaign that saw him lead the conference and rank second in the nation in points and goals scored. The Leeds, United Kingdom, native tallied 17 goals and six assists for 40 points and was the Most Outstanding Player at the CAA Championship.
Carmichael, who was the 2022 CAA Player of the Year and a First-Team All-CAA pick, posted 10 goals and four assists for 24 points. A preseason All-CAA selection, the forward from Armagh, Northern Ireland, ranked second in the CAA in points and goals scored.
The Hermann Trophy is presented annually by the Missouri Athletic Club and is the nation's highest individual honor recognizing the National Player of the Year as determined by the voting of Division I coaches who are members of United Soccer Coaches.
The CAA men’s soccer season begins Thursday with 10 of 11 teams in action; Elon will begin its season as the lone team to play on Friday.
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