Duncan Repeats as Daktronics South Region Player of the Year

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Senior Shakira Duncan (Kingston, Jamaica/Darton) was named Daktronics South Region Player of the Year for the second straight season, and seven total players from the West Florida women’s soccer team earned All-South Region honors, it was announced on Tuesday.  Duncan, the 2009 Daktronics National Player of the Year, will now be on the ballot with a chance to repeat with that honor as well.

Duncan was joined on the first team by midfielders Alexis Garrand (Orlando, Fla./Dr. Phillips HS), Monica Malavassi (San Jose, Costa Rica/Methodist HS) and Tina Murray (Kingston, Jamaica/Meridian CC).  Defenders Noha Saleh (Wellington, Fla./Nova Southeastern) and Jordan Stone (Fort Walton Beach, Fla./Fort Walton Beach HS) also earned a spot on the first team.  Finally, Jodi-Ann Robinson (Richmond, British Columbia/Palmer Secondary School) earned an All-South Region second team nod at forward.

Duncan finished her senior season with 31 goals, just two shy of her own single season program record set last year.  The Jamaican forward broke the UWF career records in goals (64) and points (153), and she ranks third in Gulf South Conference history in goals and points.  Duncan is also a two-time All-GSC first team and GSC All-Tournament Team selection, and she was named GSC Player of the Year this season.  Last year, Duncan was a Daktronics and NSCAA first team All-American.

Robinson played alongside Duncan at the forward position and had an outstanding college debut, scoring 20 goals with 14 assists.  The Canadian striker entered the NCAA Tournament fifth in the country in goals and third in assists, and she was also an All-GSC first team player this year.

Garrand, Malavassi and Murray were three of the four midfielders selected to the all-region first team.  Garrand had an excellent freshman season, scoring five goals and adding 10 assists.  Malavassi ranked second on the team with eight goals in her second year at UWF, and she also added four assists.  Murray, a transfer from Meridian Community College, scored two goals from the midfield and added 13 assists.  All three midfielders were also named to the All-GSC first team.

Saleh and Stone have been leaders for a dependable UWF defense.  The Argos allowed just 23 goals in 21 games this year (1.10 per game), and the defense has held the opposition to just 9.0 shots per game.  Stone has also scored five goals for UWF, four on penalty kicks, while adding two assists.  Saleh has also contributed four assists from the back line.  Saleh and Stone are both first team All-GSC players this season.

Players selected to the all-region first teams will advance to the ballot for the Daktronics All-America team.  Voting for the Daktronics All-America program is powered by ATHLETICSITE.COM and voted on by Division II sports information directors.

For information on all UWF Athletics, visit www.GoArgos.com.

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2010 DAKTRONICS MEN’S SOCCER ALL-SOUTH REGION TEAM

All-South Region First Team:
G - Mist Eliasdottir, Florida Tech
D - Meagan Thomas, Rollins
D - Noha Saleh, West Florida
D - Jordan Stone, West Florida
D - Leah Hirsch, Rollins
M - Monica Malavassi, West Florida
M - Tina Murray, West Florida
M - Nikki Brown, North Alabama
M - Alexis Garrand, West Florida
F - Shakira Duncan, West Florida
F - Chloe Roberts, North Alabama
F - Pia Soesemann, Saint Leo
F - Emma Karp, Barry

Player of the Year: Shakira Duncan, West Florida

All-South Region Second Team:
G - Alex McLay, North Alabama
G - Libby Hake, Christian Brothers
D - Julia Osmond, North Alabama
D - Ann-Marie Helgestad, Florida Tech
D - Jasmine Johnson, Saint Leo
D - Brittany Rainbow, Florida Tech
M - Courtney Peffley, Tampa
M - Charlotte Murrell, Rollins
M - Paula Lillsjo, Florida Tech
M - Lainie Ferring, Barry
F - Jodi-Ann Robinson, West Florida
F - Princess Haley, Florida Southern
F - Melissa Madrid, Barry
F - Casey Lademann, Florida Tech