Emily Sterling’s 2021 season, much like Maryland’s as a whole, was a rollercoaster. There were some great moments, sure, but the season in its entirety was a letdown for the storied program.

Both Sterling and the Terps have shifted gears in 2022, returning the program to prominence with an otherworldly showing. Maryland is 14-1 after a 15-9 win last weekend over Northwestern that earned the team at least a share of the Big Ten’s regular season title, and Sterling did her part by contributing 16 saves. For her effort, she’s the USA Lacrosse Magazine Division I Women’s Player of the Week.

As a sophomore, Sterling saved just 39.9 percent of shots and allowed 12.34 goals per game. But with more experience and a much-improved defense in front of her, Sterling has leaped into the national picture by saving 56.0 percent of shots and allowing only 7.23 goals per game.

PREVIOUS WINNERS

• Feb. 15: Meaghan Tyrrell, Syracuse

• Feb. 22: Catriona Barry, Duke

• March 1: Aurora Cordingley, Maryland

• March 8: Charlie Rudy, Colorado

• March 15: Sam Thacker, Denver

• March 22: Kara Rahaim, Stanford

• March 29: Mary Soures, Siena

• April 5: Isabella Peterson, James Madison

• April 12: Carley Adams, Arizona State

• April 19: Maddie Jenner, Duke