University of North Carolina Athletics

Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati
Brianna Pinto Named MAC Hermann Trophy Finalist
May 12, 2021 | Women's Soccer
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – North Carolina midfielder Brianna Pinto has been named one of three finalists for the 2020 Missouri Athletic Club Hermann Trophy as the top player in the women's collegiate game in the 2020-21 season.
The announcement was made Wednesday afternoon by the United Soccer Coaches.
Pinto is joined by Florida State's Jaelin Howell and Malia Berkely.
Pinto, who garnered semifinalist recognition in 2019, is the second Tar Heel in as many years to be named a finalist. Emily Fox was named part of the trio in 2019.
Crystal Dunn is the last Tar Heel to win the award, having earned the prize in 2012.
Pinto currently ranks fourth in the country with 13 goals this season, which included a five-game span (Nov. 15-April 13) in which she scored eight goals and tallied three assists. Against Tennessee on March 27, she recorded North Carolina's sixth hat trick since 2010. She enters the College Cup with 31 points in the 2020-21 season, which checks in at fourth in the country and second in the ACC.
The No. 3 overall pick in the NWSL draft by Sky Blue FC, she was selected as a First-Team All-ACC selection for the third-straight year after her fall slate.
The MAC Hermann Trophy is the most coveted individual honor in NCAA Division I soccer and has been awarded annually since 1967. Three finalists were named for the award on Wednesday, May 12 in conjunction with the Women's College Cup in Cary, N.C. The 2020 MAC Hermann Trophy banquet will be held at the historic Missouri Athletic Club in St. Louis on May 27, 2021 to formally announce this year's winner. Voting for the Hermann Trophy is conducted by the NCAA Division I women's soccer coaches.
The announcement was made Wednesday afternoon by the United Soccer Coaches.
Pinto is joined by Florida State's Jaelin Howell and Malia Berkely.
Pinto, who garnered semifinalist recognition in 2019, is the second Tar Heel in as many years to be named a finalist. Emily Fox was named part of the trio in 2019.
Crystal Dunn is the last Tar Heel to win the award, having earned the prize in 2012.
Pinto currently ranks fourth in the country with 13 goals this season, which included a five-game span (Nov. 15-April 13) in which she scored eight goals and tallied three assists. Against Tennessee on March 27, she recorded North Carolina's sixth hat trick since 2010. She enters the College Cup with 31 points in the 2020-21 season, which checks in at fourth in the country and second in the ACC.
The No. 3 overall pick in the NWSL draft by Sky Blue FC, she was selected as a First-Team All-ACC selection for the third-straight year after her fall slate.
The MAC Hermann Trophy is the most coveted individual honor in NCAA Division I soccer and has been awarded annually since 1967. Three finalists were named for the award on Wednesday, May 12 in conjunction with the Women's College Cup in Cary, N.C. The 2020 MAC Hermann Trophy banquet will be held at the historic Missouri Athletic Club in St. Louis on May 27, 2021 to formally announce this year's winner. Voting for the Hermann Trophy is conducted by the NCAA Division I women's soccer coaches.
Players Mentioned
UNC Baseball: DeCaro, McDuffie Lead Tar Heels to Game 1 Win at Duke, 3-1
Friday, April 24
UNC Softball: Tar Heels Fall to South Carolina in Extras, 16-14
Thursday, April 23
UNC Women's Lacrosse: Felter, Humphrey Send Heels to ACC Semis with Win vs Duke, 15-11
Wednesday, April 22
UNC Baseball: Tar Heels Top High Point, 9-2
Wednesday, April 22




