Graczyk, Morote-Ariza earn All-America honors from <i>Soccer Buzz</i> Magazine

Dec. 14, 2006

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INDIANAPOLIS - The awards keep coming for Horizon League women's soccer players as University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee junior defender Ginny Graczyk and Loyola University Chicago freshman forward Cynthia Morote-Ariza were named to Soccer Buzz's 2006 All-American squads on Wednesday (Dec. 13).

Graczyk, a Third-Team All-American honoree by Soccer Buzz, anchored the Panther backline this season by playing every minute of every game for a defense that allowed only 0.44 goals-against average. The club set program records for wins (16), shutouts (16) and goals-against average. As a team, UWM placed third in the nation in shutout percentage (.727), fourth in goals-against average and 12th in winning percentage (.773) with a record of 16-4-2. Advancing in penalty kicks over Michigan in the first round, the Panthers made an appearance in the second round of the NCAA Tournament for the second-consecutive season. Graczyk adds this award to the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA)/ESPN The Magazine Second-Team Academic All-America, National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) All-Great Lakes First-Team, Soccer Buzz All-Great Lakes Region First-Team and NSCAA Scholar All-Central Region First-Team credits she has already earned this off-season.

Morote-Ariza, a Second-Team Freshman All-American selection, led Loyola to arguably its best season in school history with a 14-6-2 record overall and the second loop crown in the program's history. On the way to the record 14 wins, Morote-Ariza led the Ramblers in goals (nine), assists (nine) and points (27), setting new Loyola single-season marks in goals and points. She was named Horizon League Newcomer of the Year and the Tournament MVP in addition to earning spots on the NSCAA All-Great Lakes Second Team, All-Horizon League First Team and Horizon League All-Newcomer Teams.

Soccer Buzz is a website dedicated to women's soccer at the collegiate level. For more information, log on to http://www.soccerbuzz.com.

Note: The Soccer Buzz All-America Teams can be found on the next page.