Dec. 1, 2010

BERKELEY - California senior defender A.J. Soares is among 15 semifinalists for the Missouri Athletic Club's Hermann Trophy, the National Soccer Coaches Association of America announced on Wednesday.

Considered the most prestigious individual award in intercollegiate soccer, the recipient of the MAC Hermann Trophy is selected by Division I head coaches who are current members of the NSCAA. Three finalists for the award will be announced on Friday, Dec. 10. The winner will be announced at a news conference on Jan. 11, 2011, in St. Louis.

A native of Solana Beach, Calif., Soares is the 2010 Pac-10 Player of the Year and a two-time first team All-Pac-10 honoree. One of the Golden Bears' captains, Soares is the anchor of a stingy Cal defense that allowed just 13 goals during the regular season and only one in the team's two postseason games thus far. He was also a key contributor on the offensive end this season, posting career highs in points (11) and goals (5).

The Pac-10 champion and sixth-seeded Bears continue their postseason run in an NCAA Tournament quarterfinal match at third-seeded Akron on Saturday, Dec. 4, at 1 p.m. PT.