By Dylan Vazzano, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The last haul of yearly honors made its way to the Tennessee Tech soccer team, as two more Golden Eagles secured their slice of achievement behind recognition on the 2022 United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division I Women's Scholar All-South Region team.
Chloe Smith and Yao Giada Zhou each took home the largely academic-based accolade, with Smith stamping a spot on the second team and Giada Zhou earning her way onto the third team. The dynamic duo adds to an already successful slew of postseason recognition after registering respective spots on the United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division I Women's All-South Region squads for their play on the pitch earlier in December.
Smith, who capped off her Tech career with a nine-goal, seven-assist and 25-point campaign in 2022 to earn All-OVC first-team honors, adds to her academic trophy case which already features eight semesters on the TTU Athletic Director's Honor Roll, four years on the OVC Commissioner's Honor Roll, three OVC Academic Medal of Honor accolades and the winner of the TTU Athletics President's Award.
Giada Zhou, the OVC Midfielder of the Year after a star-studded junior season that featured six assists and two goals, earns Scholar All-South Region distinction to continue her trend of success in the classroom. The San Michele al Tagliamento, Italy native is a four-time member of the TTU Athletic Director's Honor Roll, a two-time member of the OVC Commissioner's Honor Roll and a two-time recipient of the OVC Academic Medal of Honor.
Smith and Giada Zhou helped guide the Golden Eagles to their second-ever OVC regular-season title and first since 1998. Tech captured the top seed in the OVC Tournament and earned the right to host the semifinals and championship match for the first time in program history.