From the (edited) UCLA press release:

Striker Lauren Cheney became the first women’s soccer player in UCLA history to be named a finalist for college soccer’s most prestigious honor today, one of three contending for the Missouri Athletic Club’s Hermann Trophy.

The other two finalists for the national player of the year award are Ashlee Pistorius of Texas A&M and Mami Yamaguchi of Florida State.

Cheney, a sophomore from Indianapolis, Ind., led UCLA to its fifth straight NCAA College Cup in 2007. She ended the season ranked second nationally in points per game (2.48) and third nationally in goals per game (1.0). She was named the 2007 Pac-10 Player of the Year after leading the conference in points (57), goals (23) and game-winning goals (9). She also ranked second overall in assists (11).

Cheney’s 57 points and 23 goals on the year were both single-season school records.

“I’m obviously extremely happy for Lauren because it’s a wonderful honor to be named a finalist for this award,” said UCLA head coach Jillian Ellis. “She’s a tremendous player who has had an exceptional year so I think it is fitting that she is being recognized in this manner. It’s a reflection of the type of season she has had.”

The winner will be announced live on ESPNews at 4 p.m. Jan. 11 at the Missouri Athletic Club in downtown St. Louis.