CHICAGO (May 11, 2021) – Following a 2021 spring season in which it completed its third straight sweep of the Missouri Valley Conference's regular season and tournament titles, four members of the Loyola University Chicago women's soccer team have garnered All-Midwest Region accolades from the United Soccer Coaches, the organization announced on Tuesday.  The Maroon & Gold's four All-Region selections are its most in a single season in program history.
 
Sophomore Megan Nemec (Tinley Park, Ill./Andrew) and juniors Abby Swanson (Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove North) and Aly Kilburg (Park Ridge, Ill./Maine South) were named First Team honorees, while freshman Alaina Abel (Green Bay, Wis./Bay Port) received a Third Team nod.
 
A force in the offensive third during her sophomore year, Nemec finished as the MVC leader in overall points (15) and assists (9) in addition to slotting home three goals as she became just the second player in Rambler annals to be named the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year in addition to receiving First Team All-Valley designation.  The Tinley Park, Ill. product's nine assists tied for the second most in a single season in program history.
 
Swanson was a stalwart in the defensive midfield for the Ramblers this spring, starting in all 11 games for a Loyola defensive unit that allowed just seven goals on the year en route to taking home MVC Defensive Player of the Year honors.  Also named a First Team All-MVC selection, Swanson, out of Downers Grove, Ill., further etched her name into the Loyola record books in the Ramblers' NCAA Tournament clash with Denver on April 27, as she scored the program's first NCAA Tournament goal just 43 seconds in.
 
Kilburg put together another terrific campaign at the heart of the Rambler backline in 2021, starting in all 11 contests as she contributed to six shutout efforts.  The Park Ridge, Ill. native picked up her third consecutive All-MVC nod, collecting First Team accolades.
 
Rounding out Loyola's quartet of honorees was Abel, who joins former Rambler great Cynthia Morote-Ariza (2006) as one of only two freshmen in program history to secure All-Region distinction.  Playing alongside Kilburg on the Maroon & Gold's backline, the Green Bay, Wis. native started in 10 of her 11 appearances during her rookie year in Rogers Park as she became the third Rambler in as many years to be named the MVC Freshman of the Year.
 
Loyola's four All-Region selections highlight a group of 21 letterwinners expected to return for head coach Barry Bimbi in the fall as Loyola looks to build off a 2021 spring season that saw it finish 8-2-1 overall (6-1-1 MVC) and make its third NCAA Tournament appearance in as many years.