North Carolina forward Heather O'Reilly and Nebraska midfielder Brittany Timko have been named to the women's short list for the Missouri Athletic Club's Hermann Trophy for the third straight year.

Both Notre Dame selections — midfielder Jen Buczkowski and Kerri Hanks — are repeat semifinalists. North Carolina Yael Averbuch and O'Reilly) and Portland (Stephanie Lopez and Angie Woznuk) are the only other teams with two selections on the 15-player semifinal list.

NCAA Division I coaches who are NSCAA members will vote on the men's and women's awards.

SOCCER AMERICA'S TAKE: Hanks probably gets the nod. She has been on a tear of late, taking over the NCAA Division I lead in points with 58. O'Reilly, the U.S. international, was edged out by Averbuch, her UNC teammate, for the ACC Offensive Player of the Year award. Adams has been hot since returning from the 2006 U-20 World Championship in Russia, but fellow Bruin and U-20 Lauren Cheney has scored six more goals. Worth noting: It's been a big year for defenders with five on the Hermann shortlist. (A sixth, Texas sophomore Kasey Moore, also figures among this year's big crop of outstanding backs.)

MAC Hermann Trophy-Women's Semifinalists
POS. PLAYER TEAM YEAR HOMETOWN
M Danesha Adams UCLA, Jr. Shaker Heights, Ohio
— Bruins No. 2 scorer with 11 goals in only 16 games.
M Yael Averbuch North Carolina, Soph., Upper Montclair, N.J.
— ACC's Offensive Player of the Year.
M Jen Buczkowski Notre Dame, Sr., Elk Grove, Ill.
— All-Big East selection for third year in a row.
D Rachel Buehler Stanford, Sr., Del Mar, Calif.
— Anchor for the Cardinal, who have had a big year.
D Marian Dalmy Santa Clara, Sr., Lakewood, Colo.
— Led all WCC defenders with six goals.
D Laura Georges Boston College, Sr., France
— Nominated for the FIFA Women's Player of the Year award.
F Kerri Hanks Notre Dame, Soph., Allen, Texas
— Has had another big season (21 goals and 16 assists).
D Ali Krieger Penn State, Sr., Dumfries, Va.
— Converted to defender by necessity and named all-Big Ten selection.
F Selin Kuralay Florida State, Jr., Australia
— Leads the Seminoles with 12 goals and five game-winners.
D Stephanie Lopez Portland, Jr., Elk Grove, Calif.
— Has juggled duties with U.S. U-20s and senior team.
F Heather O'Reilly North Carolina, Sr., East Brunswick, N.J.
— Experience has been critical for young Heels' winning streak.
F Ashlee Pistorius Texas A&M, Jr., Bloomington, Ill.
— Golden goal handed UNC its only loss.
M Brittany Timko Nebraska, Sr., Canada
— Only Canadian on short list was co-Big 12 Player of the Year.
F India Trotter Florida State, Sr., Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
— Another player with U.S. national team experience in 2006.
M Angie Woznuk Portland, Jr., El Cajon, Calif.
— One of college soccer's most stylish playmakers.