Kat Rader Named MAC Hermann Trophy Semifinalist as Duke Eyes Another College Cup Run
Duke redshirt junior Kat Rader is officially in elite company. On Tuesday, she was named one of 15 semifinalists for the 2025 MAC Hermann Trophy - the highest individual honor in NCAA Division I soccer. The announcement, made by United Soccer Coaches and the Missouri Athletic Club, reflects Rader’s standout season and her growing legacy in a program that’s been no stranger to top-tier talent.
If the MAC Hermann Trophy is college soccer’s version of the Heisman, then Rader’s numbers this season make a compelling case. The Stuart, Florida native has been a force up front, racking up 12 goals and 12 assists - good for 36 total points.
That kind of dual-threat production is rare. In fact, she’s just the fourth player in Duke history to post double-digit goals and assists in a single season.
But it’s not just about the stats. Rader has elevated her game when it matters most.
Through four NCAA Tournament matches, she’s added two goals and four assists, helping guide the Blue Devils back to the NCAA College Cup for the second straight year. She’s been the engine behind Duke’s postseason push, and her 1.71 points-per-game average ranks 17th nationally - a testament to both consistency and impact.
She’s recorded at least one point in 17 of the 21 matches she’s played this season. That’s the kind of reliability coaches dream of.
Rader joins a semifinalist list stacked with talent from across the country, including names like Jasmine Aikey and Elise Evans from Stanford, Jordynn Dudley from Florida State, and Izzy Engle from Notre Dame. It’s a who’s who of the college soccer elite, and Rader fits right in.
Her selection also adds to Duke’s growing tradition of MAC Hermann recognition. She becomes the eighth Blue Devil to reach semifinalist status, following in the footsteps of players like Natasha Anasi (2012), Imani Dorsey (2017), and Michelle Cooper - who not only won the award in 2022 but was a two-time semifinalist.
Most recently, Maggie Graham earned a finalist nod just last season. Rader’s inclusion continues a strong pipeline of Duke talent being recognized on the national stage.
The MAC Hermann Trophy finalists will be announced on Wednesday, Dec. 10, narrowing the field from 15 to three. The winner will be revealed at the annual banquet held at the Missouri Athletic Club in St.
Louis on Jan. 9, 2026.
Before that, though, Rader and the second-seeded Blue Devils have business to take care of. They’ll face Stanford in the NCAA College Cup semifinal on Friday, Dec. 5 at 8:45 p.m.
ET in Kansas City, Missouri. The match will be broadcast live on ESPNU - and if Rader’s recent form is any indication, she’ll be one to watch under the bright lights.
Fans can also have their say in the MAC Hermann race. Voting is open at MACHermannTrophy.org, where supporters can cast their ballot for their favorite semifinalist.
With her name now etched alongside some of the best to ever wear Duke blue, Kat Rader isn’t just chasing a trophy - she’s building a legacy.