NAGBE BECOMES AKRON'S SECOND STRAIGHT HERMANN TROPHY WINNER
Forward follows in footsteps of former teammate Teal Bunbury, grabs college soccer's top individual honor

For the second consecutive season, the nation's best collegiate soccer player came from The University of Akron. This was confirmed on Jan. 7, 2011 when Zips' junior Darlington Nagbe was presented the Hermann Trophy at the Missouri Athletic Club.

The Hermann Trophy is considered the most prestigious honor in intercollegiate soccer and is the official National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Player of the Year award for Division I competition. Nagbe, a two-time NSCAA All-American, was one of three finalists for the award, along with Indiana's Will Bruin, who was the first runner-up, and Louisville's Colin Rolfe.

"It feels great," said Nagbe about winning the award. "The two other finalists are great players. But I'm especially grateful for the honor because any one of my teammates could have been up here accepting this award instead of me."

Nagbe, a native of Lakewood, Ohio, earned the prestigious recognition after Teal Bunbury became the first player in UA history to win the award in 2010. In all, Akron is just the fifth school in the history of the men's player of the year award to record consecutive winners and the first since Virginia in 1995-96.

Nagbe also represents the third UA finalist in as many years for the Hermann Trophy as current Major League Soccer star Steve Zakuani was the first runner-up for the signature crystal ball following the 2008 season.

"Having three different players in three consecutive years make the final three – and two win it – says a lot about the talent we have and the talent we're developing," said UA head coach Caleb Porter. "This has been a magical season and this award is the icing on the cake. I'm really happy for Darlington because it couldn't have happened to a better kid. He's worked so hard for this."

Nagbe, the 2010 Mid-American Conference Player of the Year, led Akron to its first team national championship in any sport in December of 2010 with a 1-0 victory over Louisville. The skillful striker paced the Zips' vaunted attack with a career-high 13 assists, which was ranked seventh among all Division I players. Moreover, six of Nagbe's helpers set up game-winning goals for Akron, which averaged 2.56 goals/game as a team (ranked third nationally).

"Darlington's not necessarily a guy people will appreciate based solely on stats," Porter said. "But if anyone comes to see him play, you notice his quality, his gifts and talents. You'll see him do things that nobody can do. I can honestly say that of all the college players I've coached, he does things in practice and game-in and game-out that I've never seen anybody do. And it's the subtle things: the touches, the change of pace, the balance, how he gets out of pressure. He's a playmaker. Playmakers aren't always looking to score goals, they're looking to make plays; and Darlington makes plays through his possession, his vision and his touches. He was a key player for us and a big part of our success."

Nagbe's chemistry with first-year Jamaican striker Darren Mattocks was key to the Zips' attack up top as the two combined for 25 goals, including eight game-winners, and 18 assists. Nagbe, who finished fourth on the team with seven goals, was named to the College Cup All-Tournament Team and earned All-American status from College Soccer News and Top Drawer Soccer.

"Darlington and Darren were a lethal combination," Porter said. "It was the perfect tandem because Darren's always looking to get behind, stretch the field and go to the goal; and Darlington's going to check, hold the ball, link to the midfielders and also roll, drive and slip Darren. Darren's working the space behind the back four and Darlington's working the space in front of the back four. That made it very difficult for teams to deal with."

The Missouri Athletic Club has been presenting college soccer's players of the year awards since 1986. The MAC was established in 1903 as an athletic, dining and social club. It has a "Platinum Club of America" status, which is awarded to the top private clubs in the country.

Based in Kansas City, Kan., the NSCAA is the largest coaches' organization in the world. Since its founding in 1941, it has grown to include more than 30,000 members who coach both genders at all levels of the sport. In addition to a national rankings program for colleges and high schools, NSCAA offers an extensive recognition program that presents nearly 10,000 individual awards every year. It fulfills its mission of coaching education through a nationwide program of clinics and week-long courses, teaching more than 6,000 soccer coaches each year.

2010 Hermann Trophy Introduction Video:

2010 Hermann Trophy Men's Finalists:




2010 Hermann Trophy Winner Darlington Nagbe: