BURLINGTON, Vt. – Following a historic season for Vermont Men's Soccer that saw them win their second consecutive Regular Season Championship and America East Championship, becoming just the third team in program history to win both accolades in a single season, Niklas Herceg has been named a MAC Hermann Trophy Semifinalist. The MAC Hermann Trophy is the most coveted individual honor in NCAA Division I soccer and has been awarded annually since 1967.
 
Herceg, the 2025 America East Goalkeeper of the Year, was the anchor to a Vermont team that was the lone unbeaten program out of the entire country entering the NCAA Tournament (14-0-5, 6-0-1 AE), accomplishing the unbeaten season for the first time in UVM men's soccer history.
 
HERCEG:

• Finished the season with 14-1-5 record, 0.74 GAA (15 goals allowed) and 10 shutouts in 20 matches started. His 10 shutouts was a career high. Herceg tallied 55 total saves over 20 games played.
• Posted a 0.78 SV% over 20 games played.
• Herceg's 10 shutouts this season is tied for third most shutouts in a single season in UVM men's soccer history.
• His 14 wins are the third most in a season by a UVM keeper in UVM men's soccer history.
• Allowed just two goals during the Catamounts' eight conference matches during conference play, the fewest amount allowed in UVM men's soccer program history.
• From September 9 through November 16, Herceg collected seven shutouts in 10 matches.
• Herceg made four or more saves during nine different matches this year, including four matches with a season high five saves.
• Recorded first career collegiate assist on August 24 vs Boston University in a 4-0 shutout win.
• Tied a season high five saves in the 2025 America East Championship match vs Bryant to anchor Vermont to the 2-0 shutout victory and their second consecutive conference title.
• Was the starting goalkeeper for a Vermont squad that became just the third team in UVM men's soccer history to claim the Regular Season Title AND the Conference Title.
• Anchored Vermont to their first ever unbeaten season (Prior to NCAA Tournament), going 14-0-5. Vermont was the only unbeaten team heading into the 2025 NCAA Tournament and Herceg was a major reason for that.
• Was the starting goalkeeper for a Vermont team that was UVM's and America East's first ever No. 1 overall seed heading into a NCAA Tournament regardless of sport.

 
Three men's finalists will be named for the award on Wednesday, Dec. 17 after voting by NCAA Division I coaches who are members of United Soccer Coaches. Fans are encouraged to vote for their favorite player here for the men's semifinal ballot.
 
For news and updates about the Vermont men's soccer program, follow @UVMmsoccer on Instagram, X, and Facebook, and visit UVMathletics.com.

East Rise Credit Union is the presenting sponsor of Vermont soccer.