Will Bates Named to MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List

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Aug. 13, 2012

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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Virginia senior forward Will Bates (Chester, Va.) has been named to the 2012 Missouri Athletic Club Hermann Trophy Watch List. The Hermann Trophy is the highest individual award in intercollegiate soccer and is presented annually during an awards banquet in January at the Missouri Athletic Club in St. Louis.

The list of 42 men will be narrowed down by NSCAA members from Division I programs to 15 semifinalists by Nov. 29. Member coaches and fans will then vote for their top three choices and the finalists will be announced Dec. 6. The winner will be announced at the banquet on Jan. 11.

Bates was a first-team All-ACC honoree in 2011 when he scored 14 goals and four assists for a team-high 32 points in 15 matches. He missed the Cavaliers’ final six matches after suffering a knee injury on Oct. 21 at Virginia Tech.

At the time of his injury, Bates ranked seventh nationally in goals. He finished the year 13th nationally in goals and 15th in points. Despite the injury Bates was named to the NSCAA All-South Atlantic Region second team.

Bates finished the 2011 season ranked fourth in the ACC in goals and points. He has led the Cavaliers in scoring each of the last three seasons; he enters the 2012 campaign with 34 career goals and nine assists for 77 points.

Virginia opens exhibition play at 7 p.m. Tuesday when it entertains St. John’s. Following their final exhibition contest Saturday against Liberty, the Cavaliers open the 2012 regular season on Aug. 24 against Georgetown at the Maryland SoccerPlex in Germantown, Md.