Nov. 28, 2012
KANSAS CITY, KS. – University of New Mexico men’s soccer senior Devon Sandoval has been named a semifinalist for the prestigious MAC Hermann award. Sandoval is one of 15 semifinalists for the highest individual award in college soccer. The Albuquerque native finished his senior season with 15 goals and seven assists. He becomes just the third Lobo to be named a semifinalist for the award. Jeff Rowland (finalist in 2005) and Andrew Boyens (semifinalist in 2006) are the only other Lobos to receive the same recognition from the MAC Hermann Trophy committee.
“It’s an honor for my name to be up there with Jeff Rowland and Andrew Boyens. It’s pretty special because I grew up here in Albuquerque and got to watch those guys play. I am very happy, but I give all the credit to my teammates and coaches because I wouldn’t have had a successful season if it wasn’t for them,” Sandoval commented on his nomination.
Sandoval’s senior season was one to remember on an individual level and as part of another great Lobo team. The forward was among the nation’s leaders in goals with 15 goals. It was the sixth most in a single season in program history. He was a three-time Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Player of the Week and a three-time member of TopDrawerSoccer’s National Team of the Week. Sandoval was a First Team All-MPSF member in 2012 as well. His standout performance was his hat trick and two assists in UNM’s record-breaking 11-0 victory over UNLV. Sandoval’s eight points in that match was the third most in conference history.
“This season was almost everything I wanted it to be, so I am pretty happy. I set out with a goal for myself to be one of the best forwards in the country this year and to be acknowledged for that is pretty special,” Sandoval noted.
Sandoval and the rest of the 2012 Lobos qualified for the NCAA Tournament for a ninth time in eleven years. Their post-season run saw them reach the Sweet 16 for a second consecutive season. Their final record of 17-4-1 helped tie the program’s record for the most wins in a two-year span with 35 wins in 2011 and 2012.
The senior forward leaves Albuquerque in the program’s top five in career goals and points and as one of the most decorated Lobos in New Mexico history.
Three finalists will be voted out of the pool of 15 semifinalists. Coaches who are NSCAA members and the public can vote for the finalists. The top three vote-getters will be announced on Thursday, December 6th. You can vote through LockerDome by clicking here.
To view all 15 finalists, click here.