Syracuse defender Sarah Cooper has been named the Atlantic Coast Conference’s freshman of the year, the league announced on Wednesday.

The top-ranked defender in her recruiting class by Inside Lacrosse, Cooper earned second-team All-ACC honors last week. Despite being the only starting freshman on No. 4 Syracuse’s (15-4, 5-2 ACC) 27th-ranked scoring defense, Cooper has had success this season as the backline’s “rover.”

The Lutherville, Maryland native led the Orange with 30 caused turnovers, including a season-high five in her college debut versus Connecticut and on March 27 against Albany. She also scooped up 30 ground balls, second on the team to goaltender Asa Goldstock.

Cooper, who scored the first and only goal of her career against Coastal Carolina on Feb. 18, led SU with five draw controls in its first-round ACC tournament win versus Virginia. After falling to Boston College in the ensuing round, Syracuse now awaits its NCAA Tournament placement, which will be determined on Sunday, May 5.