Hernandez Named Freshman of the Year
November 17, 2015 | Men's Soccer
SAN FRANCISCO – UCLA freshman midfielder Jose Hernandez has been named the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year, it was announced today by the conference office. Additionally, nine UCLA men's soccer players were named to the 2015 All-Pac-12 team. The Bruins led the conference with four members on the first team, with another five being named honorable mention.
Hernandez becomes the sixth recipient of the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year award in program history and first since Kelyn Rowe in 2010. The other four to earn the award were Amobi Okugo (2009), Sal Zizzo (2005), Chad Barrett (2003) and Alex Yi (2000).
Sophomore strikers Seyi Adekoya and Abu Danladi, along with freshmen midfielders Hernandez and Jackson Yueill, were named All-Pac-12 first team honorees. Earning honorable mention selections were Michael Amick, Chase Gasper, Nathan Smith, Javan Torre and Jordan Vale.
UCLA and Stanford each led the conference with nine overall selections. Washington followed with five selections, while Cal and San Diego State netted four and Oregon State claimed three.
Hernandez leads the team and the Pac-12 with 26 points on 11 goals and four assists this season. The Mexico City, Mexico native is one goal away from tying the UCLA single-season freshman record for goals, set by David Estrada in 2006, and six points away from tying the UCLA single-season freshman record for points, set by Joe-Max Moore in 1990. Among all Division I Collegiate freshmen, Hernandez ranks tied for fourth in goals and fifth in points. One of four Bruin players to appear in all 19 games (18 starts), Hernandez has logged 1,550 minutes, second only to defender Nathan Smith.
Adekoya, a second team All-Pac-12 selection last year, currently leads UCLA and the Pac-12 in goals (12) and goals per game (0.67) this season. Adding one assist, Adekoya has racked up 25 points, which ranks second on the team and in the conference. A Pac-12 Player of the Week honoree earlier this year, Adekoya had a streak of four-straight games with a goal from September 18-27 and has netted three multi-goal games. Adekoya has appeared in 18 games (12 starts) at striker and has accumulated two game-winning strikes.
Danladi is the Bruins' third 20+ point scorer, racking up 22 points on six goals and 10 assists. The Ghanaian striker leads the team and ranks second in the conference in assists and sits behind just Hernandez and Adekoya in points among Pac-12 players. Danladi has been especially hot as of late, logging five goals and six assists across a six-game span from October 16-November 6. A Pac-12 Player of the Week honoree earlier this year, Danladi has appeared in 17 games (15 starts) at striker and assisted on a career-high three goals in one game at Akron on November 1.
Yueill has totaled seven goals and five assists on the season, good for 19 points. Another Pac-12 Player of the Week recipient, Yueill ranks second on the team in assists and third in goals. The Bloomington, Minnesota native has come on strong to end the year, netting three goals over his final three games. Earlier this season, Yueill was called up to play for the U.S. U-20 Men's National Team at the Four Nation's Tournament in Germany. Appearing in 18 games (16 starts) in the midfield, Yueill has recorded two game-winning goals.
A MAC Hermann Trophy watchlist selection, Amick has appeared in 17 games (14 starts) at center back. He has contributed to all three shutouts this season and recorded his first career goal against Cal Poly on September 18. Also excelling in the classroom, Amick was named to the Capital One Academic All-District team this season.
Gasper has been a versatile player, appearing in all 19 games (17 starts) split between left back and midfielder. The Alexandria, Virginia native leads all defenders with three assists and currently ranks third on the team in minutes played (1,533). Gasper has contributed to all three shutouts this season for the Bruins.
Smith has appeared in 18 games (17 starts) split between right back and midfielder and leads all UCLA players with 1,564 minutes played. Smith has contributed to two of the Bruin shutouts and has two assists on the season. Despite not recording a goal, Smith leads all defenders with four shots on goal.
Having his best year offensively, Torre has one goal and one assist for a career-high three points this season. Appearing in 11 games (eight starts) at center back, Torre leads all defenders in points and has contributed to two shutouts this season.
A senior midfielder, Vale has appeared in all 19 games, making a career-high 17 starts this season. Vale has recorded three points on one goal and two assists. The New Zealand native notched the game-winning goal over Oregon State on November 6 and ranks sixth on the team in minutes played (1,317).
