Oklahoma State University Athletics
More Preseason Accolades For Cowgirl Duo
August 16, 2011 | Cowgirl Soccer
Aug. 16, 2011
STILLWATER, Okla. – Oklahoma State continues to pile up preseason honors as stars AD Franch and Melinda Mercado have been named to the 2011 Women's MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America. Additionally, Franch has been pegged a Preseason All-American by Soccer America.
The selections of Franch and Mercado to the Hermann Watch List mark the fifth-straight year a Cowgirl player has appeared on the list. The Hermann Trophy is considered the highest individual honor in intercollegiate soccer, and the recipients are selected by Division I head coaches who are current members of the NSCAA.
Franch and Mercado are two of 42 players on the Hermann Watch List. It marks the second consecutive year Franch has made the list, and in 2010, she was one of 15 semifinalists for the prestigious award.
The Franch-Mercado duo anchors a defense that led the Big 12 Conference in goals against average last season while recording 10 shutouts and allowing just 21 goals in 26 games. Both players earned All-America status a year ago, and Mercado took home Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year honors.
A junior goalkeeper, Franch is one shutout shy of OSU's career record as she has 20 shutouts in 49 career games. She also sports a 0.67 career goals against average and has racked up 165 career saves.
Mercado, a senior defender, has played on some of the top defenses in the nation throughout her career. She started 72 games in her first three seasons and is a two-time All-Big 12 First Team honoree.
