Yan Klukowski and David Tyrie Named to Hermann Trophy Watch List

Central Connecticut teammates Yan Klukowski and David Tyrie have been named to the Missouri Athletic Club Hermann Trophy Watch List. The list, which is comprised of 48 Division I players and was released on Tuesday, is considered the highest individual honor in intercollegiate soccer. Klukowski and Tyrie are one of only seven pairs of teammates on the list and two of three Northeast Conference players listed.

NSCAA Hermann Trophy Watch List

"This is an amazing honor for David and Yan," Head Coach Shaun Green said on Tuesday morning following the announcement. "To have one player listed is an honor but to have a pair of players among the top-48 on the Hermann Trophy Watch List is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the players in our program. Both David and Yan are deserving to be listed among the best in the country, and we are pleased that they have been recognized. They will do a great job representing our program this season."

Considered the highest individual honor in intercollegiate soccer, the recipients of the MAC's Hermann Trophy are selected by Division I head coaches who are current members of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America. A list of 15 semifinalists is selected by a coaches committee in November, with three finalists announced in early December. They will be invited to the Missouri Athletic Club in St. Louis, Mo., for a news conference on Jan. 9, 2009, where the winner will be announced, with a presentation banquet following.

Both Tyrie and Klukowski were instrumental in Central Connecticut's run to the Sweet 16 of the 2007 NCAA Men's Soccer Championship a year ago. The Blue Devils captured the NEC Championship with a 1-0 win over St. Francis (PA) to advance to the NCAA Tournament. The Blue Devils then went on to make history by recording the first-ever NCAA Tournament win for a men's program at CCSU with a 3-2 victory over Harvard on the road. They then went on the road to defeat Tulsa 3-2 in the round of 32 to advance to their first Sweet 16. Following the season the Blue Devils finished nationally ranked in the NSCAA poll for the first time in school history.

Both Tyrie and Klukowski are three-time All-Conference award winners for the Blue Devils. Tyrie was the NEC Tournament Most Valuable Player and NEC Defensive Player of the Year last season. Klukowski led the nation in assists in 2006 and has led the league in assists per game in each of the last two seasons. He was also named the 2005 NEC Rookie of the Year.

The Blue Devils, who open preseason camp today, begin the 2008 season on Tuesday, September 2 at 7 p.m. at Holy Cross.