COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Women's lacrosse standout Megan Taylor is a finalist for the 90th Amateur Athletic Union's (AAU) James E. Sullivan Award, it was announced on Monday.
Taylor is the first lacrosse player ever, men's or women's to be named a finalist for the AAU Sullivan Award, which has been given out since 1930 to the nation's best amateur athlete.
The award recognizes the outstanding amateur athlete whose outstanding athletic accomplishments are complemented by qualities of leadership, character and sportsmanship. Winners achieve great success on a national and/or international stage through competition in collegiate athletics, Olympic pursuit or similar high profile competitions.
"I am so honored to represent Maryland and the sport of lacrosse as a finalist for the AAU Sullivan Award," said Taylor. "It is truly humbling to be selected alongside America's best college athletes for this prestigious honor. Of course this wouldn't be possible without all the incredible support I've gotten from the most amazing family, teammates and coaches in the world. This is the perfect way to cap off the best four years of my life!"
The award has seen winners such as famed Olympians Michelle Kwan (2001), Michael Phelps (2003), Paul Hamm (2004) and Shawn Johnson (2008); University of Tennessee quarterback Peyton Manning (1997), 200m backstroke world record holder Missy Franklin (2012) and last year Stanford volleyball player Kathryn Plummer.
The 2019 graduate is joined by a prestigious group of finalists including Evita Griskenas, Rhythmic Gymnastics, USA Rhythmic Gymnastic, Grant Holloway, Track and Field, University of Florida, Markus Howard, Men's Basketball, Marquette University, Sabrina Ionescu, Women's Basketball, University of Oregon, Trevor Lawrence, Football, Clemson University, Spencer Lee, Men's Wrestling, University of Iowa, Dana Rettke, Women's Volleyball, University of Wisconsin, Kyla Ross, Gymnastics, University of California Los Angeles and Abbey Weitzeil, Women's Swimming, University of California Berkeley.
Taylor had arguably the most decorated career ever by a lacrosse goalie, becoming the first goaltender to win the Tewaaraton Award last season after leading Maryland to the 2019 National Championship by sporting a .551 save percentage, the best of any power five goalie in the country. Taylor was also named the IWLCA National Player of the Year, the Honda Award winner, the University of Maryland Student-Athlete of the Year, a First Team All-American and was the NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player.
A senior co-captain for the national champs in 2019, Taylor had a .551 save percentage (217 saves, 177 goals allowed). Taylor had over a 50-percent save percentage in 17 of 23 games and tallied a 8.44 goals against average, backlining a Maryland defense that held opponents to just 8.09 goals per game, the fifth best mark in the country. Taylor also became the first ever player to win their position's award four years in a row as she was named the Big Ten Goaltender of the Year for the fourth consecutive year. The Glenelg, Md. native was also a three-time IWLCA National Player of the Week and won the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week a conference record six weeks in a row.
Taylor completed her remarkable career with an 84-4 record in goal and ended with a .512 save percentage and 740 saves, the second highest of any Maryland goalie ever. The senior won two National Championships, seven Conference Championships and never lost a game at home.
After graduating from Maryland, Taylor played for Team USA and in the Women's Professional Lacrosse League, and is an assistant coach for the Naval Academy.
