Kalamazoo College's Grace Smith and Christina Dandar were selected to the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-District 6 Women's Soccer Team on Thursday. As Academic All-District selections, both players advance to the national ballot for Academic All-America consideration.
Grace Smith, a senior goalkeeper from Portage, Mich. (Hackett Catholic Central), maintains a 3.98 GPA as a biology major. Smith owns a 10-2-1 record in goal for the Hornets in 14 games this year while posting five shutouts. She has 43 saves while allowing 11 goals in 1163 minutes for a 0.85 goals against average. Last year Smith recorded eight shutouts and was named to the All-MIAA Second Team. In addition to playing soccer, Smith played on the women's basketball team the past three years averaging 9.5 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. She is the president of Kalamazoo's Athletic Leadership Council and has been on the MIAA Academic Honor Roll the past three years.
Christina Dandar, a junior defender from Harrison Township, Mich. (Warren Regina), holds a 3.98 GPA as a psychology major. Dandar has started all 37 games the past two seasons and helps anchor a back line which has produced a league-best six shutouts this season. She was named MIAA Defensiver Player of the Week on Oct. 10 and was an All-MIAA Second Team selection last season while earning MIAA Academic Honor Roll accolades in 2014 and 2015.
"Christina and Grace are two exemplary student-athletes," said Kalamazoo Head Coach Bryan Goyings. "Their contributions on the field have been a major part of the team's defensive success.
"Academically they have each excelled in their area of study. I am pleased to see their efforts rewarded as they continue to embody the true excellence of a Kalamazoo College student-athlete."
The Kalamazoo College women's soccer team is currently tied for first place in the MIAA with 35 points and a 12-3-2 record (11-1-2 MIAA). The Hornets play again Saturday, Oct. 29 at Albion.
CoSIDA District 6 includes NCAA Division III schools in Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin.