UCSB’s Jome tabbed as a ‘Player to Watch’ in college soccer this season

Ismaila Jome - UCSB men's soccer

UCSB’s Ismaila Jome is one of 63 players selected to the MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List.

UCSB sophomore midfielder Ismaila Jome has been named to Missouri Athletic Club’s Hermann Trophy Watch List.

The Hermann Trophy is college soccer’s most prestigious individual award. It’s presented annually to one male and female player from a NCAA Division 1 program.

Jome is one of 63 men’s players that have been identified as “Players to Watch” this season. He is coming off an impressive freshman year for the Gauchos, earning numerous postseason awards. Among them: Big West Freshman of the Year, All-Far West Region first team, Soccer America All-Freshman team, Top Drawer Soccer Best Freshmen IX second team.

Jome was the lynchpin to UCSB’s attack. His speed of and ability to possess the ball while under pressure and set up teammates for quality shots helped the Gauchos go 12-6-3, win the Big West regular season title and return to the NCAA Tournament. He played in all 21 matches for UCSB and had two goals and seven assists.

Also named to the “Watch List” is former Cate standout Joshua Yaro, a sophomore defender at Georgetown.

Division 1 coaches who are members of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America vote on their top choices near the end of the season, and the lists are narrowed down to the top 15 men’s and women’s players.

College soccer fans have the opportunity to participate in the selection process by voting for their favorite semifinalist in November at the MAC Hermann Trophy website.

Six finalists (three men, three women) will be chosen for the award. The winners will be announced on Jan. 9, 2015 at the Missouri Athletic Club in St. Louis.

Last season’s Hermann Trophy winners were Patrick Mullins of Maryland and Morgan Brian of Virginia.