KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Junior forward Kennedy Roesch has been named to the 2026 MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List, the IWSOC and United Soccer Coaches announced on Wednesday.
Nation on Notice 👀
— Northwestern Soccer (@NUWSoccer) August 12, 2026
Kennedy Roesch has been named to the 2026 MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List! pic.twitter.com/8n6kJqcuVL
Roesch earns the accolade after also receiving United Soccer Coaches Player to Watch and Big Ten Player to Watch recognition ahead of the 2026 season. The junior from San Diego, Calif., netted 10 goals in 2025, bringing her career total to 16, the most by a Wildcat over a two-year span since Addie Steiner in 2014-15 (17) and most by an NU underclassman since Kelsey Hans in 2004-05 (21). Roesch is the first Wildcat to be named to the preseason watch list since Meg Boade in 2023.
The 2026 watch list of 65 players was compiled by members of the Division I Women’s All-America Council from a list of returning 2025 All-Americans and First Team All-Region players. A total of 15 players will be named 2026 Hermann Trophy semifinalists on December 4 at the conclusion of NCAA Division I All-American voting. From that list, head coaches will cast votes, and three players will be named finalists. The 2026 recipient will be announced January 8, 2027, in a ceremony at the historic Missouri Athletic Club in downtown St. Louis, Mo.
Roesch and the Wildcats will kick off the 2026 season at No. 11 Virginia on Wednesday at 6 p.m. CT on ACCNX. Northwestern will return home to Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium for its home opener on Thursday, Aug. 20, hosting Syracuse at 7 p.m. CT on the lakefront.