Morote-Ariza leads Horizon League quintet on Soccer Buzz women's soccer regional honor roll

Dec. 21, 2007

Complete Release in PDF Format

Indianapolis, Ind. -- A memorable 2007 season became even more special for five Horizon League women's soccer players Friday (Dec. 21), as Soccer Buzz magazine announced its All-Region teams.

Loyola University Chicago sophomore forward Cynthia Morote-Ariza led the way by earning a spot on the All-Great Lakes Region First Team, while regular-season League champion University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee had three honorees including a Second-Team All-Region pick in junior midfielder Sarah Teegarden and a Third-Team honoree in junior goalkeeper Erin Kane. UWM midfielder Heather Roadhouse joined Wright State University forward Amber Kasmer on the 16-member All-Freshman squad.

Morote-Ariza was the Horizon League Player of the Year in 2007, becoming the first player in League history to top the circuit charts in goals (17), assists (nine) and points (43) in the same season. The sophomore forward eclipsed her own Rambler single-season records for goals and points, and is already the school's all-time leading scorer with 70 points in her career. Morote-Ariza, who received Third-Team All-Region honors from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) earlier this month, was a Second-Team choice by Soccer Buzz in 2006.

Morote-Ariza also was tabbed as the Most Valuable Player of the Horizon League Championship after helping lead the Ramblers to their second consecutive League crown. The Ramblers finished second in the regular-season standings but won a penalty-kick shootout against Milwaukee to advance to the NCAA Tournament for the second year in a row. Loyola ended the season with a 14-9-1 overall ledger.

Teegarden scored three goals while anchoring the midfield for Milwaukee, helping the Panthers to their eighth consecutive regular-season League title. Teegarden adds the latest honor to a personal trophy case that also features a First-Team All-Region certificate from Soccer Buzz in 2006. Kane, a Second-Team Soccer Buzz All-Region choice last fall, led the League with a 0.73 goals-against average and ten shutouts, extending her own League record to 36 clean sheets in her career.

Teegarden and Kane each earned First-Team All-League honors for the third consecutive year in 2007, and could become part of an exclusive group next year. Only five players in League history have gained First-Team All-League honors four times.

Roadhouse posted three points on a goal and an assist in her debut campaign. She joined Teegarden and Kane as the only Panthers to start all 21 matches this year, bolstering the Milwaukee defense that recorded a 13-4-4 overall record.

Kasmer finished second on the League scoring charts with 12 goals and 29 points, pacing the Raiders to a 13-6-1 record. Kasmer earned the circuit's Newcomer of the Year honor and was the only freshman to garner First-Team All-League recognition in 2007. Her accomplishments included five match-winning goals.

The University of Notre Dame had four First-Team All-Region honors, including junior forwards Kerri Hanks and Brittany Bock as well as junior defender Elise Weber and senior midfielder Amanda Cinalli. Senior midfeilders Jordyn Shaffer and Shauna Stapleton joined senior forward Parrissa Eyorokon to comprise the Purdue University contingent on the top team, while senior defender Mary Therese McDonnell, junior defender Emily Zurrer and senior forward Ella Masar represented the University of Illinois.

The University of Louisville had two First-Team performers in senior goalkeeper Joanna Haig and senior midfielder Monique Gjini, with Ohio State University senior midfielder Lara Dickenmann rounding out the First-Team All-Region squad.

Note: The Soccer Buzz All-Great Lakes Region teams can be found in the PDF version of this release.