KANSAS CITY, Mo. - As voted by a selection committee, Ashford University men's soccer freshman midfielder Geraldo Garza of Rockford, Ill., was named an NAIA All-American to the Honorable Mention unit.

Garza, already chosen as Midwest Collegiate Conference Newcomer of the Year and a First Team All-MCC pick, becomes just the second player in school history to collect All-American honors (1998, Mount St. Clare - Bryan Hundere).

There are three teams as selected by the committee and an additional honorable mention list. He is Ashford's 19th NAIA All-American regardless of sport, becoming the first since volleyball's Jenny Buelow collected All-American recognition last season.

"It's a great honor and we've used Geraldo in many different ways depending on the matchup," AU Head Coach Richard Markham. "He's been a shutdown defender and offensive weapon and he's getting rewarded for his play. Some guys are labeled as just a defender or just a forward."

The hybrid freshman is one of the reasons Ashford enjoyed a record-breaking season this fall and the school's first NAIA National Championships berth.

Fresh out of Guilford High School before arriving on the AU campus, the younger brother of All-MCC forward Eddie stormed the conference with 20 points (seven goals, six assists). He recorded his first career goal in game-winning fashion against Coe College in just his second collegiate game.

After tacking on an insurance goal against Calumet College of St. Joseph in mid-September, "Wally" found the net in three consecutive games against Cornell College, Viterbo University and at then-No. 17 Graceland University.

Garza then added his first multi-goal performance against Waldorf College and dished out a career-high two assists against Knox College.

But it was his defensive versatility that helped set him apart from other MCC standouts at his position.

Garza was a staple of a nearly impenetrable Saints' defensive back line that pitched 11 shutouts when he was on the field, including five straight stretching from October to November. He played in all 21 of Ashford's games this year, making 20 starts.

"It's a huge credit for him as a freshman and we have multiple players that are deserving of that status," Markham said. "It's great for our program -- we haven't had an All-American in over 10 years."

To view complete list of NAIA Men's Soccer All-Americans, click here