Four Lakers Named NAIA Scholar-Athletes

CHICAGO – Four Roosevelt University players were named 2022 Daktronics NAIA Women's Soccer Scholar-Athletes, the organization announced Monday.

Seniors Meaghan Smith and Ashley Walker were honored for the first time for their efforts in the classroom as were sophomore Paola Macias and redshirt freshman Giovana Garduno. Smith, who led the Lakers with seven goals and 19 points this season, is scheduled to graduate with a perfect 4.0 grade point average and a master of arts degree in biomedical sciences. Walker was an anchor on the back line for Roosevelt and will graduate with a bachelor of arts in education with a concentration of early childhood education.

Garduno made five appearances this season for the Lakers, scoring her first career goal against Calumet St. Joseph on Sept. 17. The Chicago native is majoring in accounting at Roosevelt. Macias played in 13 games for Roosevelt this season, scoring two goals for the Lakers. The Chicago native is studying management.

Per the NAIA, the Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete programs recognize excellence in the classroom by NAIA-member student-athletes who have a 3.5 cumulative GPA. Students must appear on the eligibility certificate for the sport and have attended one full year at the institution. The awards are given annually to outstanding student-athletes in the various sports in which the program is active and their respective teams are eligible for NAIA postseason competition.