SALISBURY, Md.- The No. 2 Salisbury University women's lacrosse team held the Capital Athletic Conference's leading scorers to a combined three goals as the Sea Gulls rallied in the second half to put away No. 18 Mary Washington, 17-8, Thursday afternoon at Sea Gull Field. Salisbury (14-1, 6-0 CAC) clinches the top-seed and home field advantage for the upcoming CAC tournament which will begin on Sunday.

Salisbury's defense forced 17 of the 31 Mary Washington (12-5, 5-2 CAC) turnovers, held the Eagles to 59 percent on clear attempts (20-of-34) and allowed a mere 15 shots (14 on goal) in the nine-goal win.

The Sea Gulls outscored Mary Washington 13-5 in the second half after being held to a season low four goals in the first half. Salisbury didn't take its first lead of the game until senior Natalie Degele, the ECAC South Region and Inside Lacrosse magazine Player of the Week, scored off an assist by Jessica Liston with 15 seconds left before the half to put the Gulls up 4-3.

In the second half the Sea Gull offense came alive as they scored four of the first five goals to take an 8-4 lead.

Junior Sue Ackermann scored all of her game-high six points (three goals, three assists) in the second half to increase her season totals to 36 goals and 46 assists.

Seniors Stephanie Shores, Katie Simmons and Degele all finished with three goals while Liston dished out three assists.

UMW's Caitlin Erickson and Kaitlyn Barker entered the game as the conference's top two scorers as the duo scored 54 goals a piece. Erickson managed three goals on the afternoon as Barker was held scoreless.

Meaghan O'Leary finished with two goals and two assists to add to her conference best 86 points, four points ahead of Ackermann.

UMW goalie Meredith Deitrick made 20 saves in the loss while SU freshman Natalie Pappas (six saves) picked up her 10th win of the season.

The Sea Gulls return to action on Friday, April 19 as they travel to Towson, Md. to face CAC opponent Goucher College at 4:30 p.m. before returning home to face either Villa Julie or Marymount (Va.) in the first round of the CAC tournament on Sunday, April 22.