Nov. 6, 2006

CHICAGO - The Loyola women's soccer team (14-6-3) returns to the scene of its Horizon League title as the Ramblers will take on No. 16 Florida (13-5-4) in a NCAA Tournament First Round match in Milwaukee, Wis. Unlike the conference tournament victory, Marquette will serve as the host for this quadrant of the bracket, with the Golden Eagles taking on Purdue in the other match. Game times have yet to be announced.

"I am thrilled that we get to stay close to home," said head coach Frank Mateus. "Myself and my staff are not really familiar with Florida but we know we have a big task ahead of us. But we had some success in Milwaukee last weekend and we will have a strong fan turnout so, hopefully, it will be kind of a like a home game."

Loyola earned the Horizon League's automatic bid with a 2-1 win over Detroit in Sunday's title match hosted by UW-Milwaukee. Freshman Cynthia Morote-Ariza, who was named Most Valuable Player of the Horizon League Championship, leads the Ramblers with 27 points from nine goals and nine assists and was joined on the all-tournament team by classmates Jackie Vera and Ashley Morawski and junior Heather Lau.

UW-Milwaukee, which won the Horizon League regular season title, received an at-large bid to the field of 64 and will take on Michigan.

"For the Horizon League to get two teams in the NCAA Tournament is terrific," said Mateus. "It really shows the improvement of women's soccer in the league and I think both teams are worthy of playing in the tournament."

The match with the Gators will be Loyola's first-ever game against a Southeastern Conference opponent. The Ramblers are winless in four matches against Marquette and dropped a 1-0 decision to Purdue this season in West Lafayette, Ind. in their first meeting against the Boilermakers.