San Antonio – When Joseph Diaz made the St. Mary’s University men’s soccer team as a walk-on in the spring of 2008, coach Que Willis hardly knew what to expect from the unheralded-yet-determined prospect.

“I thought maybe I’d use him as a backup player if I’m lucky,” Willis recalled.

Diaz ended up starting almost immediately, crushing the Rattlers’ early expectations for the San Antonio native.

On Tuesday, the senior midfielder continued to beat the odds.

Diaz has been named to the ESPN Academic All-District men’s soccer team. Diaz, a biology major who has maintained a 3.88 grade-point average, was named to the first team for District 6.

Academic All-America winners will be announced at a later time.

Diaz has started all 15 games for the Rattlers (3-12 overall), taking 19 shots on the season.

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