LEXINGTON, KY. – Kentucky soccer junior forward JJ Williams was named one of three finalists for the MAC Hermann Trophy, the United Soccer Coaches announced on Friday.
The MAC Hermann Trophy, presented by World Wide Technology, is the top individual award in NCAA Division I soccer and has been awarded annually since 1967.
The other two finalists are Indiana senior defender Andrew Gutman and Denver senior forward Andre Shinyashiki.
The winners will be announced at the Hermann Trophy banquet at the historic Missouri Athletic Club in St. Louis on Jan. 4, 2019.
Williams, a First Team All-American was also the Conference USA Player of the Year and Offensive MVP.
The junior forward established himself as perhaps the nation’s top attacking threat leading the Wildcats to the Conference regular season and tournament double and an NCAA Tournament Elite Eight berth after claiming the No. 3-overall seed in the Big Dance.
He scored 18 goals – third most in the nation – nine game winners – second most in DI – and ranked third nationally in total points (44).
Williams scored huge goals on some of his biggest stages, scoring twice in 3-0 regular-season wins against NCAA Tournament No. 4-seed Louisville, No. 2 Indiana – a game in which he assisted the third goal. He also scored a brilliant 1-0 game winner in the C-USA Tournament final against USC No. 14 Charlotte just after halftime to go along with an NCAA Tournament second-round brace against USC No. 21 Portland.
His goals and points totals were the UK single-season records.
