SALISBURY, Md. - A fierce rainstorm that packed winds gusting to 30 mph and sideways rain on a cool Wednesday evening could not slow down the No. 8 Salisbury University field hockey team. The Sea Gulls ran off seven unanswered goals to win their Capital Athletic Conference tournament semifinal game, 7-0, over fourth-seed Stevenson University before 100 brave fans under the lights at Sea Gull Stadium.

Top-seed Salisbury (14-3) advances to Saturday's championship game where the Sea Gulls will aim for their 14th consecutive CAC title. SU will host second-seed St. Mary's (Md.) College who defeated third-seed University of Mary Washington, 3-2, in the other Wednesday semifinal game that was decided by penalty strokes.

Salisbury sophomore Kandice Hancock led all-scorers with three goals and one assist against the Mustangs (10-10). The midfielder assisted the game's second goal as her pass was deflected in by freshman Caitlin Walker. SU led 2-0 at the break.

Hancock scored the game's third goal to start the second half. Salisbury was awarded a penalty stroke, its first of the season, and Hancock beat Stevenson goalie Kara Zimmerman (nine saves) with a high shot to the right corner of the cage. The reigning CAC Rookie of the Year scored the game's final two goals, both unassisted, to close out the scoring for the Gulls.

Junior All-American Lauren Correll got the Gulls on the scoreboard first, just three minutes into the game, when she finished off a nice pass from junior Beverly Beladino (one goal, two assists).

In the second half, Beladino scored her first goal of the game off an assist from sophomore back Katie Fost in the 46th minute. Five minutes later, Beladino assisted freshman Alison Bloodsworth's goal to give SU a commanding 5-0 lead.

Salisbury outshot Stevenson 27-1 as the Sea Gull defense did not allow a Mustang shot in the second half. SU also took 16 penalty corners. SU goalie Anna Cooke (0 saves) improved her record to 10-1.