Hermann Trophy Watch: Terps’ Mullins, member of historic UNC defense would have cases

By Quinn Casteel | ACC Own the Pitch

It’s the time of year where elite college players from elite teams begin to state their cases for the prestigious Hermann Trophy, the award given to the best male and female collegiate soccer player in the country every year.

Although there are players around the country who have posted video game-like numbers such as Cornell’s Daniel Haber who has average 3 points per game on his own this season, consideration for this year’s trophy candidates also has to go to the players that have led the top ranked teams in the country in addition to posting NCAA-leading numbers in team statistics.

In the ACC, the No. 1 ranked Maryland Terrapins have had one of the top two offenses in the country for the entire season, and the now No. 4 North Carolina Tarheels have had far and away the best defense in Division I, only giving up a goal about every four matches with a .26 goal against average in 15 matches played. They are currently only .06 off the mark of the all-time record which was a .20 set by Creighton just a season ago.

Although no single player for the 14-0-1 Terps or 12-2-1 Tarheels has put up individual numbers quite like some of the national leaders, one of the leading defenders from the fearsome UNC unit or a key component of the Terps’ attack such as junior forward Patrick Mullins would at least have to be in the discussion at this point in the season.

Mullins is tops in the ACC in virtually every major offensive category including shots (53), goals (10), points (28) and assists (8). Jordan McCrary, Jonathan Campbell and Jordan Gafa have been leaders as well as important players on the pitch for UNC’s entire team, but especially on the defensive end where they are on the verge of being the best ever in college soccer.