Wake Forest University senior forward Jon Bakero (Sitges, Spain) and Stanford University senior midfielder Andi Sullivan (Lorton, Va.) were presented with the 2017 MAC Hermann Trophy at the Missouri Athletic Club’s annual banquet.
Bakero becomes the second-straight and third-ever Demon Deacon to win the award, joining Ian Harkes (2016) and Marcus Tracy (2008).
The MAC Hermann Trophy, a 10-pound crystal soccer ball awarded annually since 1967, honors the United Soccer Coaches National Players of the Year in NCAA Division I men’s and women’s soccer based on voting conducted by NCAA Division I coaches.
Bakero claimed the honor over finalists Tomas Hilliard-Arce (Matthews, NC) of Stanford and Grant Lillard of Indiana.
“I couldn’t be more excited for Jon to win the MAC Hermann Trophy,” head coach Bobby Muuss said. “It’s the most prestigious award in college soccer and he repeatedly showed that he was the best in the country. He has been a model representative of Wake Forest soccer both on and off the field, and we’re absolutely elated for him and his family.”
This season, Bakero was the top offensive player on the top offense in the nation. The senior captain led the country with 46 points on 16 goals and 14 assists, pacing a Deacon offense which ranked atop the nation with 58 goals and 66 assists.
The Sitges, Spain native wraps up his collegiate career with 37 goals, 26 assists and 100 points, all marks which rank in the top 10 in program history. He became just the third Deacon to reach the 100-point plateau.
“I want to thank Coach Muuss and my mom for being here, my dad and sister watching from home, and my girlfriend Ally for being here,” Bakero said upon receiving the award. “I’m just very thankful for everyone who helped me get here.”
Sullivan tallied three goals and six assists in 2017 to captain Stanford to their second national championship, scoring in the NCAA Women’s College Cup final. The Pac-12 Midfielder of the Year and a three-time All-America First Team selection, Sullivan claims the MAC Hermann Trophy after recovering from a torn ACL in 2016. Sullivan, who has made seven appearances for the United States Women’s National Team, caps her college career with 20 goals and 18 assists.
Runners-up for the women’s award were UCLA sophomore midfielder Jessie Fleming (London, Ontario) and University of South Carolina senior forward Savannah McCaskill (Chapin, S.C.).
Bakero will next attend the 2018 MLS adidas Player Combine from Jan. 11-17 at Orlando City Stadium in Florida, while Sullivan will join the U.S. Women’s National Team for a training camp from Jan. 6-21 at the U.S. Soccer National Training Center in California.