Men's Finalists for M.A.C. Hermann Trophy Announced
Sumed, Ngwenya and Wingert earn invitations to St. Louis

Last year's NSCAA/adidas Scholar Athlete of the Year and a pair of players who will face each other in the semifinals of the NCAA Men's College Cup comprise the three finalists for the men's Missouri Athletic Club Hermann Trophy, the highest individual honor in intercollegiate soccer. The finalists were determined in voting of Division I men's soccer coaches who are members of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA).

Coastal Carolina's Joseph Ngwenya (Bulawayo, Zimbabwe) is joined by the University of Maryland's Sumed Ibrahim (Tamale, Ghana) and St. John's Chris Wingert (Babylon, N.Y.) as the three finalists for the award. Ibrahim and Wingert will face each other in the first Men's College Cup semifinal game, to be played at 5 p.m. EST at Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. The trio will be invited to the Missouri Athletic Club on Friday, Jan. 9, for a news conference, where the winner of the award will be revealed. A banquet at the Club that evening will feature the formal presentation of the prestigious crystal soccer ball trophy to the winner.

A senior midfielder, Sumed helped lead Maryland to a 20-3-1 record and a trip to the Men's College Cup semifinals. He was the difference-maker in six matches this season, either scoring the game-winning goal or having the game-winning assist. Sumed ranks in the top 10 in career points and assists for the Terrapins.

Ngwenya, the 2002 NSCAA/adidas Scholar Athlete of the Year, led the nation in scoring last season. This year, the senior forward led Coastal Carolina in goals (21) and assists (14) as the Chanticleers finished with a 20-3 record. Ngwenya closed his senior season as the school's career leader in goals and points.

A senior midfielder, Wingert scored a goal and an assist in St. John's 3-2 victory over Creighton to lead the Red Storm to the championship game of the Men's College Cup. A team captain, Wingert scored five goals and added as many assists during the 2003 season. The All-America is a member of the U.S. U-23 Men's National Team.

An exhibition featuring the current winners and past recipients of the M.A.C. Hermann Trophy is on display at the National Soccer Hall of Fame in Oneonta, N.Y.