United Soccer Coaches Release
 
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Matthew Bentley of Missouri State men's soccer was named one of 15 semifinalists for the 2019 Missouri Athletic Club's Hermann Trophy, announced by the United Soccer Coaches on Tuesday.  
 
The MAC Hermann Trophy, presented by World Wide Technology, is the most coveted individual honor in NCAA Division I soccer and has been awarded annually since 1967.
 
Bentley (Sr., London, England) put together one of the most impressive seasons for a Missouri State player while leading the team to its historic 18-1-1 record.  He was tabbed Missouri Valley Conference Offensive Player of the Year after finishing as the league leader in goals (15), points (34), and game-winning goals (6).  With 13 of his 15 goals coming in Valley play, Bentley was one of six Bears to receive All-MVC first team honors. 
 
The senior forward closed out MSU's perfect 16-0 regular-season run with an eight-game scoring streak.  He totaled 11 goals during that span which included a trio of multi-goal performances against Evansville (Oct. 5), Bradley (Oct. 9), and Valpo (Oct. 30).  Bentley recorded the fastest goal from the start of a game since an eight-second Cal State Northridge goal from Aug. 26, 2016, scoring at the 0:14 mark in MSU's 2-1 win against Loyola on Nov. 3. 
 
In the first round of the NCAA Men's Soccer Tournament, Bentley scored the lone goal to secure Missouri State's first-ever NCAA Tournament win with a 1-0 result against Denver on Nov. 21.  
 
Bentley paced the MSU attack that scored at least one goal in all 20 matches this year.  With 43 goals in the 2019 campaign, the Bears recorded the most goals in a season since 1999 (49).
 
In his first season as a Bear after transferring from West Virginia Wesleyan College, Bentley etched himself into the MSU record book, tying for the most game-winners in a season while ranking second in goals and third in total points.
 
Three finalists will be named on Friday, Dec. 13 in conjunction with the Men's College Cup in Cary, N.C.  The 2019 MAC Hermann Trophy banquet will be held at the historic Missouri Athletic Club in St. Louis on Jan. 3, 2020 to formally announce this year's winner.
 
2019 MAC Hermann Trophy Men's Semifinalists
Josh Bauer, New Hampshire
Tanner Beason, Stanford
Joe Bell, Virginia
Matthew Bentley, Missouri State
Miguel Berry, San Diego
Blake Bodily, Washington
Anders Engebretsen, Saint Mary's (Calif.)
Cal Jennings, UCF
Henry Kessler, Virginia
Bruno Lapa, Wake Forest
Philip Mayaka, Clemson
Aaron Molloy, Penn State
Eddie Munjoma, SMU
Dylan Nealis, Georgetown
Robbie Robinson, Clemson