Four Blue Devils Earn All-ACC Honors

DURHAM, N.C. – Four members of the Duke women’s lacrosse team have earned all-league honors as announced by the ACC Wednesday, April 20. Redshirt junior Emma Hamm, senior Christie Kaestner, junior Kat Thomas and junior Kim Wenger represent the Blue Devils on the 18-member 2011 All-ACC Team, which was determined by a vote of the conference’s six head coaches.

Hamm, who missed the entire 2010 season due to injury, has returned in 2011 to lead the Blue Devils in goals (38) and draw controls (55), both career highs. With a year of eligibility remaining, the Wayne, Pa., native already ranks ninth in the Duke record book for career assists (60) and sits in second in career draw controls (161). In addition, Hamm is the only student-athlete in the ACC to rank in the top-10 in the conference in goals (4^th), assists (7^th), ground balls (8^th), draw controls (3^rd) and caused turnovers (8^th).

Duke’s assists leader Kaestner has been instrumental to the Blue Devils’ offense this season, ranking second in the conference and fourth in the nation with 35 assists. In the Duke record books, she ranks second all-time with 86 career assists, while also adding 88 career goals, including 28 this season. The Trappe, Md., native is one of just six Duke players to break the 30-assist plateau in a single season and the only Blue Devil to accomplish the feat twice in a career.

Thomas, twice named ACC Offensive Player of the Week, has been a consistent threat for the Blue Devils, tallying a team-high 15 goals in conference play. Her 36 goals this season ranks second on the squad and seventh in the conference, while her 51 draw controls is also second-best total on the team and fifth-highest in the ACC.

One of just two players to earn both ACC Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week recognition this season, Wenger has already set career high this year with 13 goals, including seven in ACC action, and 16 assists. The Malvern, Pa., native joins Hamm as the only two Blue Devils to record double figures for 2011 in goals, assists, ground balls, draw controls and caused turnovers as she also ranks ninth in the league in assists per game (1.07 apg) and tied for ninth in caused turnovers per game (1.07 ctpg).

Duke will face the winner of Thursday’s ACC quarterfinal matchup between third-seed North Carolina and sixth-seed Virginia. Opening draw for the Blue Devils’ semifinal bout is set for 7 p.m. from WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, N.C.

2011 All-ACC Honorees

Kristin Igoe - Senior - Midfield - Boston College

Brittany Wilton - Junior - Attack - Boston College

Emma Hamm* - Junior - Attack - Duke

Christie Kaestner* - Senior - Attack - Duke

Kat Thomas* - Junior - Midfield - Duke

Kim Wenger - Junior - Midfield - Duke

Brittany Dipper* - Junior - Goalkeeper - Maryland

Katie Gallagher - Senior - Defense - Maryland

Karri Ellen Johnson* - Junior - Attack - Maryland

Laura Merrifield Senior Midfield Maryland

Sarah Mollison* - Senior - Attack - Maryland