SALISBURY, Md. - The top-ranked Salisbury University men's lacrosse team made a statement on Sunday afternoon as they dominated third-ranked Roanoke College 28-4 before a crowd of 896 at Sea Gull Stadium.

This game was a highly anticipated early season 'big game' in Division III lacrosse but the hype wore off quickly as Salisbury ran by Roanoke and scored at will. The Sea Gulls (5-0) scored the game's first 18 goals and didn't allow a Maroon goal until the 8:59 mark in the third quarter when SU was down two men. SU added another 10 goals to the lead, 28-1, before Roanoke (3-1) tacked on three late fourth quarter goals.

"Everything we did today was right," said Salisbury coach Jim Berkman. "This was a great team effort."

The 24 goal margin of victory is the largest in the 22 game series between the two teams dating back to 1978. SU leads the series 15-7 and has won 10 straight against Roanoke since 1993. The victory also extends Salisbury's two winning streaks; 51 consecutive regular-season games and 47 straight at home.

Junior Matt Hickman led all-scorers with his third straight five-goal performance. Senior Matt Dasinger scored a season best seven points (four goals, three assists) while sophomore Kylor Berkman passed out three assists and added a goal. Salisbury had 15 different goal scorers, seven of whom scored two or more goals.

The Sea Gulls defense swarmed the Maroons the entire day and caused 26 of the 44 Roanoke turnovers. Seniors Chris Heier, Luis Gonzalez, Chase Caruso, Kyle Hartzell were a force on defense as the Maroons only took 19 shots for the game, 10 in the first half.

"We definitely expected to win," said Heier. "I didn't think we would blow them out like this."

On the other end of the field, Salisbury fired 51 shots at three different Maroon goalies (eight combined saves) and scooped up 70 groundballs. SU took advantage of the seven Roanoke penalties with six man-up goals.

"Our defense is getting better everyday," said Jim Berkman. "Our team speed at defense is really better [then before]."

Salisbury senior Ryan DeRose (14-of-17) had a big day on faceoffs as the Sea Gulls won 22-of-36.

Roanoke senior attackman Jon Mason scored three of the four Maroon goals.

Salisbury will next travel to Frederick, Md., to face Capital Athletic Conference foe Hood College on Wednesday, March 7, for a 3:30 p.m. game.