FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Closing in on 48 hours until kickoff at the NCAA Tournament, the Nova Southeastern women's soccer received some early headlines, as the senior trio of Hannah Christophe, Emma Heikkila and Paige Napolitano were each named First Team All-South Region selections by the Division II Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA) on Wednesday. The Sharks' three first-team honorees matched Mississippi College for most in the region.

"Paige has had a great year," said head coach John Constable, who has led the program to the NCAA Tournament in each of his five seasons. "She is a prime example of what you can do within our program if you put your mind to it. She came in as a freshman and didn't receive much playing time in her first year, but through hard work and perseverance has transformed herself in to a First Team All-South Region player. It's also nice to see Hannah and Emma being recognized again as all-region players. Both of them have stepped up big at various moments this season. The United Soccer Coaches all-region selections have yet to be announced as well. It will be interesting to see if we have any of our players recognized on those teams. Rising to the occasion in the NCAA Tournament should help with that."

Christophe collects her second-career, all-region recognition thanks to a senior campaign in which she's led the Sharks, and ranks second in the Sunshine State Conference, in both goals (13) and points (31). Earlier this season, the Canadian set the program's single-game goals record with five against Florida Memorial, a number that has helped moved her into a tie with Heikkila for fourth all-time in NSU history with 30 career tallies. Christophe has also added five assists in her 17 starts.

A second-team pick in 2018, Heikkila earns the first-team nod this time around after adding to her illustrious career by notching 10 goals and seven assists in 18 starts. The senior ranks among the Top-3 in the SSC in all major offensive categories. Earlier this season, Heikkila rattled off a seven-game goal streak, marking the first by an NSU player since 2006. Meanwhile, off the field, she's already captured her second straight First Team Academic All-District honor.  

One of three team captains in 2019, Napolitano has led NSU both on and off the field this fall. The team's leader in minutes played (1,538) has started all 19 matches at center back. Her efforts have guided the Sharks to a program-record 14 shutouts, with their 0.359 goals-against averaged ranked No. 5 in the nation. Napolitano was named the back-to-back SSC Defensive Player of the Week earlier this season. The all-region honor marks the first of her career.

Gulf South Conference Offensive Player of the Year, Katie Taylor of Mississippi College, was honored as the D2CCA South Region Player of the Year after leading the Choctaws to a GSC regular season tile with 12 goals and seven assists.

Back in the NCAA Tournament for a fifth consecutive season, NSU will kick-off opening-round action Friday at 2 p.m. ET in Raymond, Miss. against Montevallo. For complete coverage of the action, visit the schedule page on NSUSharks.com or follow the Sharks on Twitter @NSU_WSoccer.

For a complete list of the 2019 D2CCA Women's Soccer All-South Region Teams, click here.