PHILADELPHIA – Two La Salle women's soccer standouts, goalkeeper Gabrielle Pakhtigian and midfielder Renee Washington, have been named CoSIDA Academic All-Americans as Pakhtigian earned a first team nod while Washington secured a spot on the third team.  The pair mark the first time any women's soccer player in La Salle history has been recognized with the honor.
 
The Explorers are one of four programs with multiple student-athletes honored and are the only Atlantic 10 institution with representation on the first team.

"We are so happy to hear that both Gabby and Renee were selected to the Academic All-America squad," said head coach Paul Royal.  "It shows that our girls can achieve many great feats with their consistent commitment in the classroom and on the field.  I'm truly proud of Gabby and Renee's pursuit for excelling in both their academic and athletic endeavors."
 
In addition to maintaining a 3.94 GPA as a nursing major, Pakhtigian set the school single season win record for goalies (17) this season and earned second all-time for single season Goals Against Average (0.73).  Additionally, the redshirt junior is second in career wins (32) and shutouts (16.5) all-time.
 
Washington led the Explorers in points this season (23) recording eight goals, including both goals in the Atlantic 10 Conference Championship game, while earning a 3.63 GPA as a communication major.  She currently sits in third for goals all-time (31) and fourth in points (78) in program history. The junior was named to the Atlantic 10 First Team for the second consecutive year and was a member of the 2012 A-10 All-Tournament team.
 
Dating back to 1972, La Salle University has placed 30 student-athletes on one of the three Academic All-America teams—11 on the first team and seven on the third team including this year's additions. 
 
To be eligible for Academic All-America® consideration, a student-athlete must be a varsity starter or key reserve, maintain a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.30 on a scale of 4.00, have reached sophomore athletic and academic standings at his/her current institution and be nominated by his/her sports information director. 

"We are so happy to hear that both Gabby and Renee were selected to the Academic All-America squad," said head coach Paul Royal.  "It shows that our girls can achieve many great feats with their consistent commitment in the classroom and on the field.  I'm truly proud of Gabby and Renee's pursuit for excelling in both their academic and athletic endeavors."