When the NSCAA and Missouri Athletic Club announced the three finalists for the MAC Hermann Trophy last week, it was immediately evident that each of the three could have been clear favorites to win in a given year.

This year, they’ll have to wait and see.

The award, voted on by NSCAA members who coach in Division I, and given at the MAC banquet in St. Louis on Jan. 11, concludes a season-long process that began with 38 players named to the preseason watch list, continued with 15 semifinalists in late November and now includes the final three.

Two of the three were involved in the NCAA College Cup final: Christine Nairn of Penn State and Crystal Dunn of national champion North Carolina. Also selected as a finalist was Caroline Miller of Virginia.

Miller continued her prolific career with the Cavaliers and broke the Virginia record for goals (20) and points(47) in a single season. Both numbers led the way in ACC play this season and she was accordingly chosen ACC Offensive Player of the Year

Nairn was vital to the Nittany Lions’ drive to the Big Ten championship and the NCAA title game. She scored 17 goals and recorded 12 assists en route to being named Big Ten  Midfielder of the Year.

Dunn played a key role in the U20 Women’s National Team winning the FIFA World Cup in Japan in August, then returned mid-season to Chapel Hill and eventually helped lead the Tar Heels to the NCAA crown. She was named ACC Defensive Player of the Year.

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