Soccer America has named Virginia striker/midfielder Mike Fisher and Portland striker Shannon McMillan the 1995 Men’s and Women’s Collegiate Players of the Year.
Both Fisher and MacMillan led their respective schools to the Division 1 final four. Fisher’s Cavaliers went down 3-2 to Duke in the semifinals to end their bid for an unprecedented fifth national title in a row. MacMillan and Portland went all the way to the championship game before losing 1-0 to Notre Dame.
Fisher, a junior from Doylestown, Pa., was moved from his usual midfield position to the frontline in 1995, with great results: He produced 21 goals and 15 assists in 22 games for a school-record 57 points. he also led all Division I players in scoring.
Said Soccer America senior editor Mike Woitalla, “Standing out among (UVA’s) team of entertaining stars was Mike Fisher, who played with style, smarts and effectiveness. He was unequivocally this season’s top player.”
MacMillan emerged as the top women’s player in the nation in 1995, dishing out 23 goals and 16 assists in 23 games. The native of Escondido, Calif., capped an impressive four-year career with an appearance in the final.
Portland coach Clive Charles was unreserved in his praise for MacMillan: “She is the best striker in the country. She’s phenomenal … I’m just glad she’s on our team.” Said US. National Team coach Tony DiCicco “She has a good chance to make this [Olympic] team, and we’re going to give her every opportunity to.”
The Soccer America Collegiate Players of the Year are selected by the editorial staff of Soccer America, America’s No. 1 soccer publication for 25 years.