ORLANDO, Fla.- The Sunshine State Conference announced their yearly awards on Thursday afternoon. Juan Hermoso was named SSC Defender of the year. 

The graduate student from Mendoza, Argentina, led a Sailfish defense that allowed the fewest goals in SSC play (4) and shutout conference opponents seven times in 2025. Hermoso played 1374 minutes for PBA over 16 games and tallied five goals, including three game-winners. Hermoso is the second Sailfish named Defensive Player of the Year in men's soccer. Juan Sanchez was named defensive player of the year in the SSC in back to back years in 2017 and 2018.

Hermoso was no stranger to big moments with the game-winning goal against Tusculum early in the season, two goals against Florida Tech and a late equalizer against Rollins. He also came up in multiple big moments with clutch tackles and interceptions on the back end. 

Palm Beach Atlantic, the SSC Regular Season Champion, boasts eight award winners. Voting for the awards is conducted among the league's men's soccer coaches.