Cynthia Morote-Ariza became the first academic all-america selection in Loyola women's soccer history

Nov. 18, 2008

CHICAGO - After another record-setting campaign on the field, Loyola junior striker Cynthia Morote-Ariza earned an award for her hard work in the classroom as she was named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America Third Team this afternoon. She becomes the first Loyola women's soccer player to earn academic all-america honors.

Morote-Ariza broke her own school records for points (55) and assists (19) this season and her 18 goals fell one shy of her single-season record in that category as Loyola advanced to the Horizon League Championship title match for the third straight season. The 2007 and 2008 Horizon League Player of the Year, Morote-Ariza also excels in the classroom where she carries a 3.45 grade-point average as a psychology major.

The Ramblers won a program-best 14 matches for the third straight season in 2008 and will return nine starters next season.