June 17, 2012|From Sun staff reports
Maryland's Iliana Sanza (St. Paul's) and Katie Schwarzmann (Century) were named Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association National Defender and Midfielder of the Year, respectively, on Saturday.
Sanza, the Atlantic Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Year, helped the unit limit opponents to 8.00 goals per game this season. The junior tallied a team-high 46 ground balls and 33 caused turnovers. She was also tabbed to the NCAA Championship All-Tournament team as Maryland advanced to its fourth consecutive NCAA semifinal.
The ACC Offensive Player of the Year and ACC tournament Most Valuable Player, Schwarzmann was named National Midfielder of the Year for the second straight season. The Tewaaraton Award winner led Maryland in goals and was second in points. The junior was also second in ground balls and draw controls. Her 72 goals were the second-highest total in the country and ranked fifth in Maryland single-season history.
The duo became Maryland's third consecutive pair to snag multiple top honors at the IWLCA banquet. Schwarzmann and Brittany Dipper were named top midfielder and goalie, respectively, last season, and Caitlyn McFadden and Karissa Taylor were grabbed top midfielder and defender accolades, respectively, in 2010. Maryland has captured top midfielder honors five straight seasons (Dana Dobbie, 2008; McFadden, 2009-2010; Schwarzmann, 2011-12).
