Lee Named to MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List
August 12, 2026 | Soccer
NEWS
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Fifth year goalkeeper Izzy Lee was named to the 2026 MAC Herman Trophy Watch List the IWSOC and United Soccer Coaches announced on Wednesday (Aug. 12). She becomes the third Illini in program history to be named to the prestigious award watchlist and first since Janelle Flaws in 2015.
The Hermann Trophy is presented annually by the Missouri Athletic Club (MAC) and is the nation's highest individual honor recognizing the National Player of the Year as determined by voting of Division I head coaches who are members of United Soccer Coaches.
Lee gains this recognition after a record-breaking season in 2025. She set the new single season saves school record with 123 made last season and she's the program's career saves percentage leader overall (.830) and in Big Ten play as well (.810). In the Big Ten Tournament match against Ohio State on Oct. 30, she made 11 saves which is a new career high in a single match for her and posted her 10th shutout of the season. Her 10 shutouts are the fourth-most in school history for a single season. The Second-Team All-Big Ten keeper led the conference in saves per game (5.86) at the conclusion of the regular season and is ready to lead the Illini in net again for her final season.
Known as the Heisman Trophy of soccer, the MAC Hermann Trophy is named in honor of the late Robert Hermann, the legendary St. Louis, Mo., businessman and soccer executive who founded the National Professional Soccer League, the first pro soccer league in the United States which became the North American Soccer League. He was inducted in the U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame in 2012.
The 2026 watch list was compiled by members of the Division I Women's All-America Council from a list of returning 2025 All-Americans and First Team All-Region players. A total of 15 players will be named 2026 Hermann Trophy semifinalists on Dec. 4 at the conclusion of NCAA Division I All-American voting. From that list, head coaches will cast votes, and three players will be named finalists. The 2026 recipient will be announced Jan. 8, 2027, in a ceremony at the historic Missouri Athletic Club in downtown St. Louis, Mo.
Illini Named to the MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List
- Izzy Lee (2026)
- Janelle Flaws (2014, 2015)
- Vanessa DiBernardo (2011, 2012, 2013)
