CLINTON, Iowa - Ashford University men's soccer senior midfielder Edwin Enriquez of Quito, Ecuador, was honored in front of peers and faculty at a recent awards ceremony as the recipient of the Business Department Scholars Award.

The award is presented to the highest-ranking graduate in the business department.

Enriquez, a two-year transfer from Western Nebraska Community College, is set to graduate with other students on Saturday during AU's graduation ceremony in Kehl Arena.

It will be a special moment for the Business Administration major and he has his sights set high for what he hopes is a booming professional career.

"This award was important to me because it meant the hard work was paying off," said Enriquez, who recorded one goal and two assists for the NAIA National Championship-qualifying Saints. "I'm very interested in pursuing a number of avenues back in my home country (Ecuador) after graduation."

Enriquez expressed interest in eventually owning a hotel and operating a dance club. He is looking to maximize the potential of being bilingual while also staying associated with the sporting industry.

Enriquez' success in the classroom comes following a team-record number of players to receive NAIA Academic All-American status in a single season.

Ashford had five upperclassmen receive Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete honors in Keith Caldwell of Garden Prairie, Nick Roman of Belvidere, Ill., Kyle Mantick of Peoria, Ill., Mike Lentini of Belvidere, Ill., and Macklin Larsen of Rockford, Ill.