Florida soccer sees three receive degrees this weekend at University of Florida commencement ceremonies - Lauren Donovan, Josie Curtis and Daviana Vaka.
Three Gator Soccer Grads this Weekend
Friday, December 13, 2024 | Soccer
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – A trio of Gator soccer players –Josie Curtis, Lauren Donovan and Daviana Vaka - receive their degrees this weekend at University of Florida commencement ceremonies held in the Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center.
All graduates transferred in to join the Gator team. Curtis transferred to Florida after playing at Florida Gulf Coast in 2021. Donovan and Vaka have been part of the Gator program for the last two seasons after starting collegiate careers at Minnesota and BYU, respectively.
All were regulars in the Gator starting lineup. Curtis started every match of the last two seasons for 35 consecutive starts. Donovan earned Southeastern Conference Offensive Player of the Week after scoring her first two collegiate goals to give Florida a 2-1 win over then No. 22 Texas to open 2024 October play. Vaka earned 2023 All-SEC first-team honors and played the entirety of 28 matches in her two seasons as a Gator.
All earned SEC Academic Honor Roll recognition during their careers. Curtis secured a spot on the 2023 and 2024 College Sports Communicators Academic All-District team.
The soccer players are among more than 30 Florida student-athletes who completed their undergraduate degrees this fall. This will be Curtis' second trip across the Exactech Arena stage, as she earned her bachelor's degree in Psychology last December.
| Gator Soccer Fall 2024 Graduates | |
| Josie Curtis | Master's - Health Education & Behavior |
| Lauren Donovan | Education Sciences |
| Daviana Vaka | Master's - Sport Management |
All graduates transferred in to join the Gator team. Curtis transferred to Florida after playing at Florida Gulf Coast in 2021. Donovan and Vaka have been part of the Gator program for the last two seasons after starting collegiate careers at Minnesota and BYU, respectively.
All were regulars in the Gator starting lineup. Curtis started every match of the last two seasons for 35 consecutive starts. Donovan earned Southeastern Conference Offensive Player of the Week after scoring her first two collegiate goals to give Florida a 2-1 win over then No. 22 Texas to open 2024 October play. Vaka earned 2023 All-SEC first-team honors and played the entirety of 28 matches in her two seasons as a Gator.
All earned SEC Academic Honor Roll recognition during their careers. Curtis secured a spot on the 2023 and 2024 College Sports Communicators Academic All-District team.
The soccer players are among more than 30 Florida student-athletes who completed their undergraduate degrees this fall. This will be Curtis' second trip across the Exactech Arena stage, as she earned her bachelor's degree in Psychology last December.
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