Michigan State University Athletics
Kozal Named to MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List
8/18/2022 12:01:00 PM | Women's Soccer
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Michigan State women's soccer player Lauren Kozal was named to the MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List, United Soccer Coaches announced on Thursday.
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The goalkeeper from Ada, Michigan, becomes only the second Spartan to appear on the Hermann Trophy Watch List in program history. Three-time United Soccer Coaches All-American and 2022 Michigan State Athletics Hall of Fame inductee Laura Heyboer was the only prior Spartan to collect the same preseason accolade.
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"Lauren continues to improve every day," head coach Jeff Hosler said. "She had an incredible fall in 2021. I think that, given the growth she has shown, she's a better goalkeeper today than she has ever been. In my opinion, she is by far the best goalkeeper in this senior class. I don't know if there is a better goalkeeper in the country. She is a great leader, and our team plays with a lot more confidence knowing that she's out there."
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Kozal joins 60 additional women's college soccer players from across the country on the list and stands as one of only four student-athletes representing the Big Ten Conference. Penn State landed a pair of players on the list, with forwards Penelope Hocking and Ally Schlegel making appearances in addition to Rutgers forward Riley Tiernan.
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The Hermann Trophy, presented annually by the Missouri Athletic Club, is the nation's highest individual honor recognizing the National Player of the Year as determined by the voting of Division I coaches who are members of United Soccer Coaches.
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Fifteen women's players become Hermann Trophy semifinalists on November 30 following completion of Division I All-America voting after the fall season. Then, on December 7, the top three players from a final round of voting are announced as the 2022 finalists. The winner will be revealed on January 6, 2023, at a ceremony inside the historic Missouri Athletic Club in St. Louis.
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Kozal has already garnered recognition as the only Big Ten representative on the United Soccer Coaches Goalkeepers to Watch List, as well as one of three Spartans named as a Big Ten Player to Watch. She returns to action following a 2021 season in which she was named Big Ten Goalkeeper of the Year as well as a United Soccer Coaches All-American.
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Kozal and the Green & White open the 2022 regular season Thursday at 7 p.m., taking on the Bowling Green Falcons at Cochrane Stadium.
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FOLLOW THE SPARTANS
Visit MSUSpartans.com for more information on Michigan State women's soccer. Fans can keep up to date with the Spartan women's soccer team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter by following @MSU_WSoccer.
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The goalkeeper from Ada, Michigan, becomes only the second Spartan to appear on the Hermann Trophy Watch List in program history. Three-time United Soccer Coaches All-American and 2022 Michigan State Athletics Hall of Fame inductee Laura Heyboer was the only prior Spartan to collect the same preseason accolade.
Â
"Lauren continues to improve every day," head coach Jeff Hosler said. "She had an incredible fall in 2021. I think that, given the growth she has shown, she's a better goalkeeper today than she has ever been. In my opinion, she is by far the best goalkeeper in this senior class. I don't know if there is a better goalkeeper in the country. She is a great leader, and our team plays with a lot more confidence knowing that she's out there."
Â
Kozal joins 60 additional women's college soccer players from across the country on the list and stands as one of only four student-athletes representing the Big Ten Conference. Penn State landed a pair of players on the list, with forwards Penelope Hocking and Ally Schlegel making appearances in addition to Rutgers forward Riley Tiernan.
Â
The Hermann Trophy, presented annually by the Missouri Athletic Club, is the nation's highest individual honor recognizing the National Player of the Year as determined by the voting of Division I coaches who are members of United Soccer Coaches.
Â
Fifteen women's players become Hermann Trophy semifinalists on November 30 following completion of Division I All-America voting after the fall season. Then, on December 7, the top three players from a final round of voting are announced as the 2022 finalists. The winner will be revealed on January 6, 2023, at a ceremony inside the historic Missouri Athletic Club in St. Louis.
Â
Kozal has already garnered recognition as the only Big Ten representative on the United Soccer Coaches Goalkeepers to Watch List, as well as one of three Spartans named as a Big Ten Player to Watch. She returns to action following a 2021 season in which she was named Big Ten Goalkeeper of the Year as well as a United Soccer Coaches All-American.
Â
Kozal and the Green & White open the 2022 regular season Thursday at 7 p.m., taking on the Bowling Green Falcons at Cochrane Stadium.
Â
FOLLOW THE SPARTANS
Visit MSUSpartans.com for more information on Michigan State women's soccer. Fans can keep up to date with the Spartan women's soccer team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter by following @MSU_WSoccer.
Players Mentioned
GK
/ Women's SoccerFriday, November 28
Tuesday, November 25
Sunday, November 23
Thursday, November 20