CHICAGO (September 23, 2021) – Abby Swanson (Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove North), a senior defender/midfielder on the Loyola University Chicago women's soccer team, has been highlighted as one of two featured student-athletes in this week's Missouri Valley Conference Scholar-Athlete Spotlight, presented by State Farm.
 
Swanson, The Valley's reigning Defensive Player of the Year, has started in all 57 games of her collegiate career.  This season, she's played in all but 40 minutes of game action, most recently delivering the deciding strike with only five seconds remaining in the Maroon & Gold's thrilling 2-1 win over Indiana State this past Saturday at Loyola Soccer Park.
 
A native of Downers Grove, Ill., Swanson, who became the first player in program history to be named a United Soccer Coaches All-American this past spring, holds a 3.47 cumulative grade-point average as a nursing major.  Last season, she was recognized as an Academic All-District honoree by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) in addition to taking home MVC Scholar-Athlete Team accolades.
 
Like many of her teammates, Swanson is also involved in the community.  Among other activities, she's volunteered her time at the Lakeview Pantry, an organization which provides food and services for those in need.
 
To qualify for the Missouri Valley Conference Scholar-Athlete Spotlight, student-athletes must carry a cumulative grade-point average of 3.30, have completed at least one academic year at a Valley institution, and must be at least a sophomore in academic standing.  Redshirt freshmen and first-year junior college transfers are not eligible.  In addition to the academic qualifications, student-athletes are evaluated on their campus involvement and community service.