UNC senior defender Julia Ashley and sophomore forward Alessia Russo were each selected Thursday to the preseason watch list for the 2018 MAC Hermann Trophy, which is awarded annually to the top player in both men’s and women’s college soccer.

Ashley and Russo are among 45 players named to the list, as they look to guide head coach Anson Dorrance’s storied program to its first national title since 2012.

This will be the fourth season as a starter on the back line for Ashley, while Russo will try to build off a stellar freshman campaign that saw her earn ACC Freshman of the Year and Second Team All-America honors.

The MAC Hermann trophy watch list was compiled by the United Soccer Coaches Men’s and Women’s NCAA Division I All-America Committees. 

A group of 15 semifinalists will be chosen near the end of the regular season in a vote by the coaches, with the list ultimately being narrowed down to three finalists.

To see the full list of watch list candidates for the award, click here.

 

Photo via UNC Athletics

 

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