Phillip and Hernandez earn postseason All-MVC honors

ST LOUIS – Two members of the University of Evansville men’s soccer team have been honored with postseason awards by Missouri Valley Conference Head Coaches.

Senior forward Kai Phillip and freshman midfielder David Hernandez were recognized for their play in the 2023 season for the Purple Aces by the MVC. Leading UE on offense, Phillip earned a spot on the All-Conference First Team after being named to the Second Team only a year ago. Hernandez finished his first season with Evansville as a consistent starter and stalwart for the middle four while being the Aces go-to for corner kicks on the right side.

This season, Phillip led UE in most statistical categories including goals (10), points (21), shots (36), shots on goal (17), and games started (16). At the end of the season, the forward ranked 28th in the nation in goals per game and 3rd in the Missouri Valley Conference, averaging 0.62 goals a game. He also was top of the Valley in goals and points, sitting third behind MVC Player of the Year Dylan Sing and All-Conference First Team selection Charlie Sharp. Phillip was also only one of six players in the Valley to have multiple braces during the season. Phillip scored two goals in a match against both Southern Indiana and Northern Illinois.

Hernandez in his first season with the Purple Aces played in all but one game and started 73% of the time. For the season, the midfielder recorded one goal against UIC and tallied three assists over the course of 15 games. Hernandez was sixth in minutes played for Evansville with 1,000 minutes on the pitch and led all freshmen and newcomers on UE’s roster.