Penn State’s Raquel Rodriguez wins Hermann Trophy

Penn State’s Raquel Rodriguez won the MAC Hermann Trophy, given annually to the nation’s top men’s and women’s college soccer players in the country, on Friday night at the Missouri Athletic Club.

The award is the Heisman Trophy of college soccer.

Stanford’s Jordan Morris won the men’s Hermann Trophy.

“It is just a huge honor,” Rodriguez said in a press release. “This trophy is not just mine, it is really the work of so many people, including my coaches, my teammates, my family and friends, but most importantly, God. I understand these blessings come from Him. Aside from that, it is an honor to win this trophy; it is just a prestigious award to receive. I know that there have been so many great soccer players that have won this award. I am honored and very grateful.”

Rodriguez is the second Penn State player to win the award, joining Christie Welsh, who received the honor in 2001.

Rodriguez scored the game-winning goal in the national championship game, lifting Penn State to a 1-0 win over Duke. The senior finished with six goals and six assists while starting all 27 games for the Nittany Lions.

“Raquel’s career at Penn State has been nothing short of remarkable and her impact on this community will be felt for years to come,” Penn State coach Erica Walsh said in the release. “Raquel’s exceptional talent, leadership and drive was pivotal in the winning of our program’s first-ever national championship this year.”

West Virginia junior defender Kadeisha Buchanan and Virginia senior defender Emily Sonnet were the women’s runners-up for the award.

Morris, the men’s winner, helped Stanford capture its first national championship.

Georgetown senior forward Brandon Allen and Creighton junior forward Fabian Herbers were the runners-up for the men’s award.

This story was originally published January 8, 2016 at 7:35 PM with the headline "Penn State’s Raquel Rodriguez wins Hermann Trophy."