FREDERICKSBURG, Va. - Senior Robyn Bishop had a career-game against No. 20 University of Mary Washington as she led the top-ranked Salisbury University women's lacrosse team to a 17-12 come-from-behind victory on Thursday. Bishop recorded seven points on six goals, both career highs, and made one assist in the final Capital Athletic Conference regular-season game for both teams.

Salisbury (17-0, 7-0 CAC) outscored the Eagles 13-4 in the second half after the Sea Gulls trailed 8-4 at the half. This is the first time Salisbury has trailed at the half this season.

The victory locked up the top-seed for the maroon and gold in the upcoming CAC tournament that begins this Sunday, April 20. Salisbury, the five-time defending CAC champion, will host eighth-seed Hood College in a first round game at 5 p.m. in Sea Gull Stadium. Mary Washington (9-7, 5-2 CAC) earned the third-seed as the Eagles' other conference loss this season is to second-seed St. Mary's (Md.) College.

Salisbury has won 17 consecutive games, the longest winning streak in Division III, and is 22-0 in regular-season games since April 3, 2007. The Sea Gulls have also won their past 46 conference games since 2003.

The game featured arguably the two best Division III women's lacrosse scorers in the nation in Salisbury's senior All-American Sue Ackermann and Mary Washington's senior Caitlin Erickson. Through 17 games this season Ackermann has 118 points (62 goals and 51 assists) while through 16 games Erickson has 126 points (54 goals and 72 assists). The two lived up to their reputation in the game as they combined for 13 points, Erickson (three goals, four assists) edged out Ackermann (three goals, three assists) by one point. Ackermann is now one point shy of her team-high 119 from last season and 13 shy of the school record for points in a season (131).

Salisbury struggled offensively in the first half as the Sea Gulls only managed 10 shots against UMW goalie Helena Polite (nine saves), who stonewalled SU as she made four saves in the first 30 minutes of play. The Eagles' offense was in rhythm early as they scored one minute and 21 seconds into the game. Bishop tied the game, 1-1, three minutes later off an assist from Ackermann. The Eagles scored the game's next four goals to build a 5-1 advantage.

The Sea Gulls showed their mettle as they didn't panic and climbed back into the game. SU scored three consecutive goals in a six-minute span. Senior Jessica Liston (two goals), sophomore Kim Cudmore (three goals, one assist) and Ackermann cut the UMW lead to one, 5-4, with seven minutes left before the half.

UMW answered with a 3-0 run of its own to close out the opening half where the Eagles led 8-4. The four-goal deficit is the largest margin the Sea Gulls have faced all season.

SU shook off a shaky first half and absolutely dominated the second half of play. The Sea Gulls scored four goals in just over five minutes to begin the final half. Sophomore Beth Rhodey (two goals) and junior Jessica Chmielewski (one goal, one assist) scored goals along with two from Cudmore to knot the game at eight apiece. The Eagles regained the lead for the final time in the game at the 23:06 mark on a goal by Julia Miner. Ackermann gave SU its first lead of the game, 10-9, at the 18:17 mark off an assist from Alexis Morrell. Bishop took over the final 13 minutes of the game for the Sea Gulls as she scored five of the final seven goals for Salisbury.

Junior Sonja Stuart (17-0) made six saves on 22 Eagle shots to remain undefeated this season.

The game was well played by both teams as SU only had three turnovers compared to seven by UMW. Salisbury outshot the Eagles 33-22 as Mary Washington won 17-of-31 draw controls. The SU offense took advantage of free-position opportunities as the Gulls scored on 4-of-5 chances. UMW on the contrary was 1-for-3 on free position shots.