COLLEGE PARK, MD -- Maryland women's lacrosse goalkeeper Emily Sterling earned top IWLCA honors, being named the National Goalkeeper of the Year, as announced by the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association on Wednesday. 

This honor for Sterling caps off a spectacular breakout season year for the junior where she has been the best goalie in the nation from start to finish. Sterling was the Big Ten Goaltender of the Year, an IWLCA First Team All-American, a Tewaaraton nominee, First Team All-Big Ten selection, a four-time National Player of the Week and five-time Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week. 

Sterling finished the year second in the nation in both save percentage (.531) and goals against average (7.87) and had the highest save percentage ever in Big Ten play at .626. The junior finished the year with 169 saves to only 149 goals allowed, had over a 50-percent save percentage in 12-of-21 games, had double digit saves in seven games and had a stretch of seven games from March 30 - April 30 where she had over a 50-percent save percentage in every game. Sterling was huge in Maryland's win over No. 2 Northwestern on April 23 to win the Big Ten Regular Season Championship, tallying a career-best 16 saves to only nine goals allowed. 

The Bel Air, MD native was crucial in Maryland's successful season where the Terps won both the Big Ten Regular Season and Tournament Championships, made their 12th Final Four in 13 years and defeated 12 opponents by double digit goals. Led by Sterling, Maryland's defense allowed the second lowest goals per game in the country at 7.81 goals per game and held 17 of 22 opponents to single digit goals. 

Sterling becomes the seventh Terp to win National Goaltender of the Year and the third in five seasons with Megan Taylor winning in 2017 & 2019 and the 23rd National Player of the Year under head coach Cathy Reese.