Jan. 14, 2008

CHICAGO - On the heels of another record-breaking season, Loyola sophomore striker Cynthia Morote-Ariza was named UMBRO/Chicagolandsoccernews.com Women's College Player of the Year as announced this past weekend. It is yet another honor for the dazzling forward who helped Loyola to its second consecutive Horizon League Championship title and NCAA Tournament appearance.

Morote-Ariza was, undoubtedly, the catalyst for the high-scoring Ramblers, setting single-season school-records in goals (17) and points (43) while tying her own single-season mark with nine assists. In the process, the Chicago native became the first player in Horizon League history to lead the league in each of the three scoring categories (goals, points, assists) in the same season. The 2007 Horizon League Player of the Year, Morote-Ariza is already the school's career leader in points (70) and is just one goal shy of becoming the Ramblers' top all-time goal scorer. She capped off the season by assisting on both Loyola goals in the Horizon League Championship final - earning the tournament's Most Valuable Player award for the second consecutive season - as the Ramblers advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the second time in as many seasons, where they lost to eventual National Semifinalist Notre Dame.

In addition to becoming the first Loyola player to earn the Horizon League Player of the Year award, Morote-Ariza was also a First Team All-Great Lakes Region selection by SoccerBuzz, a Third Team All-Region honoree by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America and an ESPN The Magazine First Team Academic All-District selection.

Loyola finished the 2007 season with a 14-9-1 record and claimed its second consecutive Horizon League tournament title. The Ramblers are set to return eight starters from this year's team, including fellow All-Horizon League First Team selection Jackie Vera.