Making Her Mark: Maria Schuller becomes first Little Rock soccer player named to Hermann Trophy Watch List

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KLRT) - The soccer journey for Little Rock native Maria Schuller wasn't always the easiest. "There's times where, you know, I didn't even know if I was going to keep playing soccer. So I'm extremely grateful for the opportunity that I was given here to play here and represent my hometown," Schuller said. Schuller signed with the Little Rock Trojans just days before the start of preseason play a few years ago. It was a late addition to the roster, and even Farrell wasn't sure exactly what to expect. “I think we started preseason on August 1st that year, and I signed Maria probably July 27th,” Farrell said. “So, you know, it was definitely a last-minute addition to the team. And I wasn’t completely sure what she would look like or how she would turn out. Obviously, I made a really good decision.” Farrell's decision has paid off in a big way. Schuller broke out last season, earning Ohio Valley Conference Offensive Player of the Year and first-team All-Conference honors. She led the conference with 12 goals and 28 points. Now, she's making history on an even bigger stage. Entering the 2026 season, Schuller became the first player in Little Rock program history to be named to the Hermann Trophy Watch List. The award is widely considered the highest individual honor in college soccer, similar to the Heisman Trophy in college football. Schuller didn't even realize what the honor meant when she first saw her name on the list. “I think I was driving around with my friends, and I looked at my phone, and I saw it on Instagram, and I didn’t even know what it was,” Schuller said. “I had to ask coach what it was. So it was definitely a big surprise, but it was exciting.” For Little Rock, the recognition is another milestone for a program that has never had a player reach this level of national recognition. “It’s huge for the program,” Farrell said. “It’s the first time that it’s ever happened at Little Rock and, you know, I’m so glad that Maria’s the first one. I hope she’s not the last.” But even with the national spotlight now shining on her, Schuller isn't losing sight of what brought her to Little Rock in the first place. For her, it's always been about representing home. “I’m big on loyalty,” Schuller said. “Like, this is my home, and I’ve been treated incredibly here, so I just want to give back. We’re just going to keep building and just keep getting better as we go.” Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLRT - FOX16.com.