DURHAM, N.C. - Six Blue Devils have earned 2011 Longstreth/NFHCA DI All-South Region honors as announced by the organization Thursday, Nov. 17. Redshirt senior Samantha Nelson, sophomore Emmie Le Marchand and seniors Stefanie Fee, Tara Jennings and Rhian Jones were all named to the first team, while junior Devon Gagliardi received second team accolades. Duke's six selections mark the program's most all-region honorees since the Blue Devils placed seven on the list in 2008.
After starting 81 games over the past four years, Virginia Beach, Va., native Fee received her second all-region recognition and first, first team nod in 2011. The senior captain and 2011 All-ACC selection anchored a Blue Devil defense, which ranked second in the nation and eighth nationally with a 1.2 goals against average, while also playing key roles as Duke's post player on the defensive penalty corner unit and as stick stopper on attack corners. With three assists this past season, Fee finishes her career with 15 assists as well.
With a career-high 16 points in 2011, senior Jennings picked up her second consecutive first team all-region nod. The Macungie, Pa., helped control the tempo of Duke's midfield in addition to serving as an integral part of the Blue Devils' corner attack. She notched career highs in both goals (6) and assists (4) this season, bringing her career totals to 10 goals, 13 assists and 33 points.
A two-time All-American, Jones grabbed her fourth career All-South Region accolade after leading the Blue Devils with a career-high eight assists on the year. A team captain and three-time All-ACC pick, Jones has also started 81 games over her four-year career, totaling four goals and 13 assists in that span while also serving as a key contributor on both attack and defensive penalty corners.
Sophomore forward Le Marchand picked up where she left off following a standout 2010 rookie season to garner her second all-region honor. The Worcester, England native's 19 goals in 2011 not only led the team but also tied for 10th all-time in the Duke single season record book. One of Duke's most consistent offensive threats the past two seasons, Le Marchand has moved into the top-20 in the Blue Devil career records with 27 career goals to rank 18th on the chart.
Goalkeeper Nelson started every game for the Blue Devils the past two seasons to provide a consistent presence for the Duke defense. The Rockville, Md., native played a career-high 1599 minutes in 2011, allowing just 28 goals in 22 games while ranking second in the ACC and eighth nationally with a 1.23 goals against average. In addition, Nelson made 73 saves to tie her career bests in both saves and save percentage (.723).
Junior forward Gagliardi emerged as one of Duke's top scoring threats, starting every game on the Blue Devil front line and totaling 23 points on the season to rank second on the team. With nine goals and five assists, Gagliardi trailed only Le Marchand in goals and points, as well as serving as the team's catalyst on Duke's pressing unit.
The Blue Devils posted a 14-8 overall record in 2011 with eight wins over teams ranked in the top-20 nationally. As the No. 3 seed, Duke advanced to the ACC Championship game with victories over conference foes Virginia and No. 3 Maryland, then earned the program's 11th bid to the NCAA Tournament and first since 2008. The Blue Devils topped No. 10 Stanford in the first round before falling to No. 2 Old Dominion by one goal in the NCAA quarterfinals.
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