DALLAS (SMU) -- Luchi Gonzalez, a senior forward from SMU, is the 2001 winner of the Hermann Trophy, as announced by the National Soccer Hall of Fame on Tuesday. The Hermann Trophy is soccer's equivalent of the Heisman Trophy, honoring the outstanding male and female collegiate soccer player in the United States. The Trophy winners are determined through a balloting of soccer coaches and sportswriters across the country.

Robert Hermann made the trophy presentation to Gonzalez Tuesday afternoon at Gerald J. Ford Stadium on the campus of SMU, site of the 2001 Women's College Cup and 2002 Men's College Cup.

The Hermann Trophy is named after Robert R. Hermann, founding Chairman of the North American Soccer League. The first Hermann was presented in 1976 to Dov Marcus of Long Island University. Past male winners include U.S. National Team veterans Alexi Lalas, Claudio Reyna, Brad Friedel, and Tony Meola.

Gonzalez is SMU's first-ever Hermann Trophy winner. The Miami, Fla., native is rounding out his collegiate career with a bang, posting 21 goals and 12 assists this season. As of last week, Gonzalez was second in the nation in scoring and tied for fifth in goals per game. He has scored more than one goal in a single game seven times this season. The 2001 Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year, Gonzalez is a 2001 first-team NSCAA All-Midwest Region team selection. He has scored 48 career goals and is fourth on SMU's all-time career list for goals scored. Gonzalez is also second on SMU's all-time list in career points scored with 128.