COLLEGE PARK, MD -- The nation's leader in save percentage, Emily Sterling, was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week, the conference announced on Tuesday. 

Sterling was phenomenal in Maryland's two wins over Georgetown and No. 20 Johns Hopkins, making 18 saves to only nine goals allowed, a .667 save percentage. The junior backlined a Maryland defense that allowed only nine goals over two games, three to Georgetown and six to  Hopkins.

In the win over Johns Hopkins, Sterling made a career-high 12 saves and only allowed six goals, holding the Blue Jays to only one goal on 14 shots in the second half. 

Last week named an Inside Lacrosse Second Team Midseason All-American, Sterling leads the nation with a .544 save percentage and stands second in the country with a 7.37 goals against average. In two Big Ten games so far, Sterling has 22 saves and has only allowed 12 goals, a .647 save percentage. She leads a Maryland defense that ranks third in the nation, only allowing 7.45 goals per game. 

This is Sterling's second Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honor of the year, also winning on March 22. Abby Bosco was also selected as the Defensive Player of the Week on March 8. In total, Maryland has won 13 weekly honors this season, led by four Offensive Player of the Week nods from Aurora Cordingley. 

Sterling and the Terps are back in action this Thursday night against Penn State at the Field Hockey and Lacrosse Complex. The game is set to begin at 6:30 p.m. and will air on the Big Ten Network.