It’s a season to remember for Clemson soccer midfielder Ousmane Sylla.
On Friday night, Sylla was recognized with the MAC Hermann Trophy, which is given to the most outstanding player in college soccer. Similar to the Heisman Trophy for college football and the Wooden Award for basketball, Sylla was recognized as the best player in NCAA soccer this season.
Ousmane Sylla Amazing Senior year
It comes after an incredible campaign for the senior, who will seek future endeavors as he has played his final game in a Clemson uniform. In his final season, Sylla scored 13 goals and dished ten assists, which is 14th and eighth in the country, respectively. He also scored five game-winning goals throughout the season, proving he belongs in the most important moments of them all.
His contributions earned the star first-team All-ACC, first-team All-Atlantic Region and first-team All-America honors. He was the most valuable player in the ACC Tournament and in the College Cup as well. With a historic season for not only himself but for Clemson, there have not been many others to have the season that Sylla had in college soccer history.
Sylla’s final season was completed with the most incredible finish: a national championship. While starting in the Tigers’ national championship win in 2021, the midfielder was featured in all aspects of Clemson’s road to the national championship this season. He ended it in the best way possible, scoring against Notre Dame in the final to help lead the Tigers to a 2-1 win and their second title in three years.
Sylla is the fourth Tiger to receive the prestigious award, joining Bruce Murray (1987), Wojtek Krakowiak (1998), and most recently Robbie Robinson (2019). The Tigers are only one of four college soccer programs to have four recipients of the award.
The future is uncertain for the Clemson legend, but it is incredibly bright. The midfielder was selected in the second round of the MLS SuperDraft by the Houston Dynamo this year. However, there has been talk for the standout to take a chance on his career as Sylla has the chance to travel to Europe to play for a squad overseas.
No matter what is in store for the Dakar, Senegal, native, Clemson fans will remember the two national championships that he helped bring to Historic Riggs Field as well as his signature smile when he played.
