Washington, D.C.- The field looked different
but the result was the same for the Salisbury University field
hockey team defeated top-seed Catholic University 3-1 on Saturday
afternoon to win an unprecedented 12th consecutive Capital Athletic
Conference title.
In a rematch of last year's title game, Salisbury made
sure the outcome would also mirror the game. A year ago, the Sea
Gulls downed the Cardinals, 3-1, and history repeated itself again
today.
"It was a great victory for us," said Salisbury coach Dawn
Chamberlin. "We weren't at home on our field. We had to avenge
their loss from earlier in the season. The game was a lot closer
then the score indicates."
Salisbury, the three-time NCAA Division III national champions,
got on the board first with a goal from freshman Lauren
Correll, her seventh tally in the CAC tournament. Later in
the first half, senior Abby Rowe scored off a pass
from junior Danielle Twilley to give the Sea Gulls
a two-goal cushion with her 13th goal of the season.
Catholic senior Jayme Dinsmore answered late in the first as she
deflected a Melissa Sampson pass behind the Salisbury goalie
Maria Ramoundos (two saves) to pull CUA within one
at the half.
In the second half, Salisbury's defense turned up the intensity
and stifled the Catholic offense as it held the Cardinals to one
shot and one corner.
Off a penalty corner with about 10 minutes remaining, Twilley
struck the final blow when her shot beat Catholic goalie Marian
Cassilly (12 saves).
Catholic (12-7) defeated Salisbury 1-0 earlier in the
regular-season to earn home field advantage for the CAC tournament.
It was the first loss at home for the Gulls in 72-games.
"This sets the tone [for the remainder of the postseason] and
sends a message to those who doubted us," said Chamberlin. "We have
this burning desire. We want to win. Hopefully, it will continue as
we move on."
Salisbury will wait until tomorrow evening when the NCAA will
announce the Division III field on http://www.ncaasports.com/ at 9
p.m. The first round is scheduled to start on Wednesday, November
8.
"Certainly this is the first step in our postseason journey. We
reached our first goal," said Chamberlin.
