Plainview, N.Y. (August 12, 2009) - The Missouri Athletic Club announced the Hermann Trophy watch for men and women for the upcoming collegiate season Tuesday. Ben Arikian and Joel Gustafsson along with Gina DiMartino of the Rough Riders were named to their respective lists.

Arikian (West Islip, N.Y.) becomes the first player in University of Massachusetts history to be named to the watch list. The junior midfielder played in 15 games for the Rough Riders this past season and was fourth on the team in goals scored with four and added one assist. He also played the third most minutes (1235) on the team.

Gustafsson (Gothenburg, Sweden) comes off a 2008 season at St. John’s University that saw him named a second team NSCAA All-American and as well as capturing BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year honors. Gustafsson only saw action in five games with the Rough Riders, but his presence was helpful for the Premier Developmental League’s second best defense.

This is DiMartino’s (Massapequa Park, N.Y.) second consecutive season being named to the watch list as a member of the Boston College Eagles. Last Fall, she was a member of the US Women’s Under-20 team at the World Cup in Santiago, Chile, which won gold. DiMartino was a steady presence in the midfield featuring in six games with the Rough Riders this summer.

The M.A.C. Hermann Trophy is considered the highest individual honor in intercollegiate soccer. The recipients are selected by Division I head coaches who are current members of the NSCAA. A list of 15 semifinalists is selected in November and three finalists are announced in early December. This year’s winner will be announced on Jan. 8, at the Missouri Athletic Club in St. Louis, Mo.

For more information on the Long Island Rough Riders, please visit www.liroughriders.com or call (516) 622-3900.