Nguyen, Plotkin earn awards

SoccerAmerica magazine recognized Hoosier freshman forward Lee Nguyen and senior midfielder Brian Plotkin in their college soccer issue. Plotkin was one of 11 players to be named to the 30th annual SoccerAmerica MVP list. Nguyen became the first Hoosier named SoccerAmerica freshman of the year since Nick Garcia in 1997.\nPlotkin ends his IU career as one of the most decorated Hoosiers of all-time. The Lisle, Ill., native garnered Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors during his career, along with being named first team All-Big Ten three times and Big Ten Player of the Year this past season. Plotkin gained 76 points in his career, which puts him 23rd on the all-time Hoosier points list.\nPlotkin will be in St. Louis Friday night for the presentation of the Missouri Athletic Club's Hermann Trophy, college soccer's equivalent to the Heisman Trophy. Maryland's Jason Garey and New Mexico's Jeff Rowland are the other two finalists. Garey enters the evening as the favorite to take home the award, as he tallied 22 goals en route to leading the Terrapins to the school's first NCAA championship.\nNguyen made an immediate impact during his first season with the Hoosiers by notching five goals and setting the IU freshman record with 12 assists. Nguyen played a central role in IU's three-goal comeback in the final 17 minutes during the game at Maryland, which SoccerAmerica named Game of the Year.\nPlotkin and Nguyen will pursue professional careers this season. Plotkin and fellow senior Mike Ambersley have been invited to the Major League Soccer Combine, while Nguyen will forego his final three years of college to play professionally in an undecided league.