Lehman College women's soccer junior midfielder/forward Daisy Gomez was named the CUNYAC/Hospital for Special Surgery Scholar-Athlete of the Month for October 2017.
"It means a great deal to me (to be named the Scholar-Athlete of the Month)," said Gomez. "It shows that I've been successful on the field and in the classroom. I have always strived to do my best, so it feels great."
The starting center midfielder for the Lightning, Gomez, who plans to become a dental hygienist after she graduates, carries an outstanding 3.86 cumulative grade-point average and has made the Dean's List in each of her four semesters at Lehman.
On the pitch, Gomez led the Lightning to the program's second-ever appearance in the CUNYAC Championship. She netted 11 goals and added two assists for 24 points this season, en route to earning CUNYAC Player of the Year accolades.
Gomez continues to give it her all in both her schoolwork and athletics, and sees many similarities between the two entities.
"A positive attitude, hard work and learning from your mistakes are a few examples," Gomez commented. "A positive attitude is essential when you're trying to be successful. You have to believe in yourself and put in the work. If you fail, there is always something valuable to take from it."
However, it was challenging for Gomez to balance academics and athletics when she started playing soccer at Lehman.
"I was overwhelmed with everything I had to do academically, since I was always so tired from practice," added Gomez. "I eventually learned how to manage my time and balance my athletic and academic life."
Meanwhile, Daisy's biology studies keep her busy when she is not playing or practicing.
"You always have something to work on, whether it's homework, lab reports, or studying for a test," Gomez said.
Consequently, she uses much of her spare time to work on long-term assignments. She also relaxes by spending time with her family and watching movies.
Besides time management, being a student-athlete taught Daisy the value of being humble. “A team is not just about one person, it’s about the hard work and effort contributed by everyone.”