CHESAPEAKE BEACH, Md. - Salisbury University head women's lacrosse coach Jim Nestor was recently named Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) Division III South Atlantic Region Coach of the Year.

Nestor guided the No. 2 Sea Gulls (20-2) back to the National Championship game for the second time in three years, where the Gulls fell to Franklin & Marshall 11-10 in overtime. Diplomat first-year head coach Lauren Paul was named National and Metro Region Coach of the Year by the IWLCA.

In 2009 Nestor coached a program best five IWLCA All-Americans in seniors Robyn Bishop, Holly Johnson, Sarah McKinley and Sonja Stuart plus junior Beth Rhodey. The SU offense finished with the most points scored in the nation (577) and the fourth best scoring offense at 17.5 goals per game. The maroon and gold were just as good on the defensive side as they finished with the nation's sixth best scoring defense at 7.77 goals per game.

This is the fifth time in Nestor's eight seasons at SU that he has been honored, as he was named Chesapeake Region Coach of the Year in 2004, '05, '07 and '08. In 2005, Nestor was named National Coach of the Year as the maroon and gold went 17-1 and advanced to the National Championship game.

Coach Nestor is one of 11 coaches to be recognized by the IWLCA in the three NCAA divisions. Five of the regional Coach of the Year winners come from the Division III level.

In eight seasons, Coach Nestor has compiled a remarkable career record of 136-19 and a 45-2 mark in the Capital Athletic Conference. Salisbury has won seven straight CAC titles under his tutelage and been a participant in the NCAA tournament seven consecutive seasons. SU has played in the national championship game three times in the past five seasons. Nestor has guided the Sea Gulls to the NCAA semifinals five times in the past six seasons.

Nestor, who also coaches the Salisbury women's soccer team, is a 1990 graduate of the University who returned to his Alma Mater after serving as the head coach for both women's lacrosse and women's soccer at Division II Gannon University in Erie, Pa., for six years.

Originally from Laurel, Md., Nestor received his bachelor's degree in physical education from Salisbury in 1990. He was a four-year letterman on the Sea Gull lacrosse and wrestling teams during his collegiate career. Nestor earned his master's degree in health and physical education at Frostburg State in 1992. His wife, Linda, is also a Salisbury graduate and was a four-year letterwinner on the women's lacrosse team.

2009-07-13