BALTIMORE -- University of Delaware sophomore attack Nicole Flego, who was the leading scorer for the Blue Hen women’s lacrosse squad during her freshman season last spring, has been selected to the Inside Lacrosse Pre-Season All-American third team.

Flego (at right), a sophomore from Doylestown, PA (Central Bucks East High School) who was the 2007 Colonial Athletic Association Rookie of the Year, was one of 40 NCAA Division I players from throughout the nation honored on the three teams. Inside Lacrosse is one of the leading websites that cover college lacrosse.

Delaware, which returns 10 starters and the top six scorers from last year’s squad that posted a record of 11-6 and advanced to the CAA semifinals for head coach Kim Ciarrocca, will open its 2008 season this Thursday, Feb. 28 when the Blue Hens host No. 20 Rutgers at 3 p.m. at Rullo Stadium.

Flego was one of only three CAA players named to the three teams, joining second team midfielder Hilary Fratzke of Towson and second team midfielder Annie Wagner of James Madison. Delaware was picked No. 2 in the CAA pre-season coaches poll announced earlier this month.

Flego enjoyed an outstanding freshman campaign in 2007 when she led the Blue Hens in scoring and was among five players who scored 30 or more goals on the season. She led the team with 58 points, ranking second on the team with 36 goals and dishing out a team-high 22 assists.

She ranked second on the team with 86 shots and also posted eight groundballs, six draw controls, and three caused turnovers. She scored at least one goal in all 17 games and tallied three or more goals six times during the season, including a career-high five goals vs. James Madison.

During the 2007 campaign, Flego was named to the womenslacrosse.com Rookie All-American team, was a second team Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association All-Mid Atlantic Region selection, and was a first team All-CAA selection in addition to being named league Rookie of the Year. She also was named to the CAA All-Tournament team and was named league Rookie of the Week twice during the season.