DURHAM, N.C. – Duke University head field hockey coach Pam Bustin has been named the 2016 Front Rush/National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) South Region Coach of the Year following a historic season for the Blue Devil program. It marked the second time in the past four seasons Bustin was selected for the regional coach of the year honor.

Bustin was also named the South Region Coach of the Year in 2013 and garnered ACC Coach of the Year laurels in 2016 and 2011.

In her sixth season at the helm of the Duke program, Bustin and her staff directed the Blue Devils to a 16-4 ledger and a fourth-straight trip to the NCAA quarterfinals. The 2016 squad got out to the best start in program history at 8-0 and went 5-1 in ACC regular season action to capture the program's first regular season conference title. Under Bustin's watch, Duke rounded out its regular season slate with an undefeated record at home for the first time since 1974.

On Oct. 25, the Blue Devils reached No. 1 in the NFHCA Division I Coaches Poll for the first time in school history. The team also concluded the season at No. 1 in the final national poll and went on to earn the top seed in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in the history of the program.

The squad's 6-0 shutout of Richmond Oct. 29 in the regular season finale marked Bustin's 80th victory at Duke. She owns a record of 81-44 in six seasons in Durham and is 243-172 for her coaching career to rank 14th among all active Division I head coaches in career wins.

Bustin and the Duke coaching staff guided six players – Alyssa Chillano (first team), Heather Morris (first team), Aisling Naughton (first team), Margaux Paolino (first team), Sammi Steele (first team) and Ashley Kristen (second team) – to All-South Region recognition. In addition, Chillano and Morris were selected for All-America distinction Wednesday.

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