June 16, 2008

CHICAGO - Following stellar sophomore seasons on the soccer field, Michael Ferguson and Cynthia Morote-Ariza have been tabbed Loyola University Chicago Male and Female Athlete of the Year, respectively, it was announced today by Director of Athletics John Planek. Ferguson helped the Rambler men's soccer team to its first-ever outright regular-season Horizon League title, while Morote-Ariza led the women's soccer squad to its second straight NCAA tournament appearance.

In helping Loyola to a 10-5-4 overall record in 2007, Ferguson racked up a plethora of awards, including Horizon League Player of the Year, Horizon League Offensive Player of the Year and First Team All-Horizon League. The forward became Loyola's first-ever All-American when he earned National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Third Team honors in addition to College Soccer News All-America recognition. A two-time Horizon League Player of the Week and Soccer America National Team of the Week selection, Ferguson led the League in goals (15), points (32) and game-winning goals (6), while also ranking fifth in the nation with 0.79 goals per game and ninth with 1.68 points per contest.

Ferguson's 15 goals ranks third on Loyola's single-season chart and his 32 points sits tied for fourth. The high-scoring sophomore recorded hat tricks last season versus both Cincinnati and Wright State and scored the match winner in all five of the Ramblers' League victories.

One of the most decorated players in Loyola soccer history, Morote-Ariza already serves as the school's all-time leader with 70 points and ranks second in both goals (26) and assists (18). Last fall, she became the first player in Horizon League history to top the conference in goals (17), assists (9) and points (43) in a single season en route to becoming the first Rambler to ever be saluted as Horizon League Player of the Year. Morote-Ariza scored or assisted on 26 of Loyola's 40 goals (65 percent) in 2007 and broke her own single-season school standards for goals and points and tied her own mark for assists. A First Team All-Great Lakes Region selection by SoccerBuzz and Third Team NSCAA All-Great Lakes Region pick, she also excelled in the classroom, earning ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District V honors last fall. She elevated her play at the most crucial of times, earning Horizon League Championship Most Valuable Player honors for the second straight season as the Ramblers earned their second consecutive NCAA tournament berth.