Collins and Kitch Named to 2026 United Soccer Coaches Missouri Athletic Club Hermann Trophy Players to Watch
Aug 04 | Men's Soccer
PISCATAWAY, N.J. — Nick Collins and Charlie Kitch have been named to the 2026 United Soccer Coaches Missouri Athletic Club Hermann Trophy Players to Watch List for Defenders.
The watch lists are compiled and released by the United Soccer Coaches Division I All-America Committees to highlight the nation's top players leading into the start of the 2026 regular season. The list features returning standouts, including 2025 United Soccer Coaches All-Americans and All-Region selections.
Making some noise 📢
— Rutgers Men's Soccer (@RUMensSoccer) August 4, 2026
All eyes are on Nick Collins and Charlie Kitch heading into the season as the pair is named to the @UnitedCoaches Missouri Athletic Club Hermann Trophy Players to Watch!
📰: https://t.co/QLunyVsEoW#GoRU | #RUMS pic.twitter.com/VjI6DWP9wB
Collins earns the recognition after a standout junior campaign with the Scarlet Knights. He started all 17 matches and logged 1,499 minutes, the second-most on the team. The Mount Olive, New Jersey, native recorded a career-high three goals, including the game-winner against Wisconsin on Oct. 10, while adding two assists for a career-best eight points. Defensively, he helped Rutgers post five shutouts, the program's most since 2021.
Kitch joins the watch list following an impressive junior season at Elon, where he helped lead the Phoenix to the 2025 CAA Championship. He collected All-CAA Second Team honors for the second consecutive season, earned United Soccer Coaches Third Team All-Atlantic Region recognition and was named to the CAA All-Tournament Team.
The Medford, New Jersey, product made 12 starts in 18 appearances, totaling 1,129 minutes. He scored two goals on the season, including the game-winner against UNCW on Oct. 11 and another in Elon's 6-4 CAA Tournament semifinal victory over Campbell on Nov. 9.
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