LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – Rider University men's soccer graduate student Elliott Otmani (La Ciotat, France/Bonaparte) has been named to the prestigious MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List, the United Soccer Coaches and Missouri Athletic Club have announced. The MAC Hermann Trophy is the most prestigious individual award in college soccer and is presented annually to the most outstanding male and female players of the year. This year's winners will be announced Friday, Jan. 4, 2019 at the Missouri Athletic Club in St. Louis.

"This is nice recognition for Elliott," said Rider Head Coach Charlie Inverso. "The guy is a winner. He is not only a great teammate but a tremendous person as well. We lucked out when he decided to come to Rider."

Otmani is one of 31 men's players selected to the watch list, which is compiled by members of the United Soccer Coaches Men's NCAA Division I All-America Committee. Fifteen semifinalists will be named for the MAC Hermann Trophy near the end of the college season based on voting by NCAA Division I coaches and from those candidates, three finalists will ultimately be placed on the ballot for the coveted award.

Otmani earned United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-America First Team and All-Northeast Region First Team honors last season, taking All-Region honors for the second-straight year. A two-time All-MAAC selection, the 2015 MAAC Championship MVP led the Broncs with nine goals and 20 points last season, including two game winners against Monmouth and Quinnipiac. Through three seasons in the Cranberry and White, Otmani has scored 23 goals and assisted on 12 more for 58 points.

The Broncs open the 2018 season on Aug. 24, when they play host to Fairleigh Dickinson. Kickoff from Ben Cohen Field is scheduled for 7 p.m.