BRIEF: Akpan Named First Runner-Up for Hermann Trophy

Senior soccer standout Andre Akpan has yet another accolade to add to his already impressive list.  In the past month, the forward from Grand Prairie, Texas was selected to Soccer America’s 2009 MVPs team and College Soccer News’ Team of the Decade, named New England Soccer News’ Player of the Year, and offered a contract with Major League Soccer.

Last Friday, the Missouri Athletic Club added another achievement to Akpan’s list, crowning him first runner-up for the prestigious Hermann Trophy.

The Hermann Trophy is awarded by a collection of NCAA Division I soccer coaches to the top male and female soccer player in that division.  This year, Akpan came in a close second to the University of Akron’s Teal Bunbury, while Stanford’s Kelley O’Hara captured the female title.

Akpan was a three-year semifinalist for the Hermann Trophy, and was the first Harvard player to ever receive a finalist spot.

In addition to captaining the 2009 Crimson to the third round of the NCAA tournament, Akpan holds the school record for points scored at 127 and assists at 33.  He remains tied with Chris Ohiri, the namesake of Harvard’s field, as the all-time leading goal scorer with 47 goals.

Akpan will look to continue his illustrious career on the professional stage, as he and other hopefuls await the results of the MLS Superdraft in Philadelphia today.