Full Release

KANSAS CITY, Kan. -- Fairleigh Dickinson men's soccer standout Nicholas Walker (Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago/St. Mary's) is one of 34 male student-athletes identified as a potential candidate for the 2013 Missouri Athletic Club's (MAC) Hermann Trophy, the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) announced Wednesday during its "NSCAA Weekly College Highlights and Review Show" on NSCAATV.com.

The MAC Hermann Trophy is the highest individual award in college soccer presented annually to one male and one female athlete. The winners will be announced Friday Jan. 10, 2014 at the trophy presentation banquet at the Missouri Athletic Club in Saint Louis.

Near the end of the collegiate regular season, NCAA Division I coaches that are NSCAA members will vote on their top choices and the lists will be narrowed down to the top 15. College soccer fans will also have the opportunity to participate in the selection process, as they will be able to vote for their favorite semifinalist starting in November at the MAC Hermann Trophy website.

From the pool of 30, six finalists (three men, three women) will be chosen for the award.

Walker is coming off a brilliant junior season, where he helped lead the Knights to the program's seventh Northeast Conference championship and a trip to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament. The First Team All-NEC and NSCAA All-North Atlantic Region First Team defender scored two goals last season, including one in the NEC Tournament final en route to making the NEC All-Tournament team. The 6-3, 190-pound senior will once again anchor the back for FDU, who is projected to win the NEC this season.

"We feel that Nicholas is one of the top center backs in the nation," Head Coach Seth Roland said. "He has MLS (Major League Soccer)-level athleticism and a great attitude."

The Knights will open the 2013 campaign Friday, Aug. 30 in Philadelphia, Pa. with a 7 p.m. contest against Drexel.