KANSAS CITY, Mo. – BYU's Lucy Kesler and Ellie Walbruch were named to the 2026 Hermann Trophy Watch List, the IWSOC and United Soccer Coaches announced on Wednesday.
Named to the United Soccer Coaches Forwards to Watch List earlier this week, Walbruch returns for her senior season following a breakout junior year for the Cougars. She was also ranked No. 18 on Top Drawer Soccer's Preseason Top 100 Players going into the 2026 regular season.
The second-year captain led her team in goals and shots last season, recording four multi-goal performances and her first career hat trick. Walbruch was recognized on the conference and national level for her impressive performance last season, including a spot on the All-Big 12 First Team, All-Midwest Region First Team and the Big 12 All-Tournament Team. She also earned Second Team All-America honors following BYU’s Sweet 16 run.
Ahead of the 2026 season, Kesler was named to the United Soccer Coaches Midfielders to Watch list and ranked No. 92 on Top Drawer Soccer's Preseason Top 100 Players after making her mark on BYU last season. She joined Walbruch on the 2025 Big 12 All-Tournament Team, All-Big 12 First Team and All-Midwest Region First Team. Following her sophomore season, she was honored as a United Soccer Coaches Third Team All-American.
The Hermann Trophy is presented annually by the Missouri Athletic Club 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. It 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 December 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 January 8, 2027, in a ceremony at the historic Missouri Athletic Club in downtown St. Louis, Mo.