Four Lakers Named NAIA Scholar-Athletes From Women's Soccer

CHICAGO – Roosevelt women's soccer had four players honored as Daktronics NAIA Scholar-Athletes, the organization announced Friday.

The Lakers had two players earn their second honors in forward Giovana Garduno and midfielder Paola Macias, both of whom earned the distinction last year as well. There were also two sophomores who became eligible for the honor for the first time in defender Mackenzie Alvarez and goalkeeper Roxana Herrera.

Unfortunately, Garduno missed the season due to injury, but the other three honorees were critical to the Lakers returning to the conference tournament this season. Herrera made 58 saves in 13 starts and 14 appearances for Roosevelt while posting a 1.50 goals against average and .753 save percentage. Alvarez was the only defender to start every game this season for the Lakers  and earned second-team all-conference honors while helping to backstop three shutouts this season. Macias scored three goals and assisted on another in 15 appearances for the Lakers this year while wearing the captain's armband.

Per the NAIA, the Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete programs recognize excellence in the classroom by NAIA-member student-athletes who are juniors or above in academic standing with 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.