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Kerstin Kimel

 
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The only head coach in Duke womens lacrosse history, Kerstin Kimel has led the program from its inception in 1996.

In Kimel’s 23 seasons at the helm of Duke women’s lacrosse, she has guided the Blue Devils to seven national semifinals, four ACC regular season titles, an ACC Tournament Championship and 19 NCAA Tournament appearances.

A five-time ACC Coach of the Year, Kimel has overseen 59 All-America selections, 83 all-region honorees and 74 All-ACC picks. Seven of her former players have represented their countries on the world's stage, competing at the 2009, 2013 and 2017 World Cups. The Blue Devils have achieved equal success in the classroom during Kimel’s tenure, collecting 67 Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association Academic Honor Roll accolades since 1997.

Kimel registered her 250th career victory Feb. 22, 2015 in a win over William & Mary. She is one of just eight active Division I head coaches with 280 or more wins.

Kimel was honored with an IWLCA Service Award in November, 2016 for her work as co-chair of the NCAA Division I Legislation Committee to slow down early recruiting within the sport. She was presented with the IWLCA's highest award, the Diane Geppi-Aikens Memorial Award, in November, 2015.

Duke returned to the NCAA semifinals to punctuate an outstanding 16-5 campaign in 2015. Led by a veteran group of eight seniors, the Blue Devils concluded the season ranked fourth in the final national poll. Attacker Kerrin Maurer became Duke’s career assist leader and garnered first team All-America recognition from the IWLCA. Goalkeeper Kelsey Duryea headlined the Blue Devils’ three All-America selections in 2016, and concluded an outstanding career as one of just three goalkeepers in ACC history to top 600 saves for her career. She ranked among the nation’s leaders in save percentage while anchoring Duke to an 11-9 ledger and a trip to the NCAA second round.

Draw control specialist Olivia Jenner became the program's all-time leader in the category during the 2018 campaign, which also saw rookie attacker Charlotte North set Duke freshman scoring records en route to collecting All-ACC and Inside Lacrosse All-Rookie Team recognition.