SALISBURY, Md. - The annual Salisbury University men's lacrosse game against Eastern Shore rival Washington (Md.) College lived up to the hype as the top-ranked Sea Gulls won 15-11 before a series record crowd of 2,975 at Sea Gull Stadium. Salisbury holds onto the Clark Cup, given to the winner of the regular-season matchup between the two Division III schools, for the fifth consecutive year.

SU coach Jim Berkman is now tied with former Army coach Jack Emmer for the NCAA record for wins by a men's lacrosse coach in the history of the game with 326 career wins. Berkman, now in his 20th season at Salisbury, has a career record of 326-35 in 21 seasons. His record at Salisbury is now 317-30. In the past six seasons Berkman has led the Sea Gulls to four NCAA Division III national championships and a staggering 119-2 record.

"I feel very proud. This is a reflection of my 20 years here and all of the great players I have been fortunate enough to coach here," said Berkman. "This is for the players. I am just fortunate enough to be the coach at Salisbury University and have a great lacrosse program."

The victory concludes the fifth consecutive perfect regular-season for the Sea Gulls (18-0) as SU will take a 41-game winning streak into the playoffs where the maroon and gold is slated to hold the top-seed in the South region. Salisbury is 71-0 at Sea Gull Stadium since 2003. Over the past six seasons the Sea Gulls have won 77 regular-season games, 91 including CAC tournament games, since April 17, 2003.

The game, also known as the 'War on the Shore', came alive in the third quarter as a wave of eight goals, four by each team, were scored in rapid fashion. SU senior Bruce Richardson (three goals, one assist) scored the first of his three goals in the second half to give the Sea Gulls an 8-5 advantage out of the half.

The Shoremen (12-2), who have only lost to the top-ranked and second-ranked (Gettysburg) teams this season, responded with three of the next four goals to cut the SU lead to one, 9-8.

SU sophomore Mike Von Kamecke (three goals, one assist), one of four Sea Gulls to score three goals in the game, scored back-to-back goals in less than a minute to give SU some breathing room.

Washington answered with two unanswered goals by senior Chris Read (two goals, one assist) and Matt Moreton to cut the Gulls' lead to one, once more, with 11 minutes left in the game.

The Sea Gulls scored four of the final five goals, two from Richardson to seal the victory for Salisbury.

This was the first time the Clark Cup was played at SU since the inception of the award named after Charles B. Clark, who was a coach and educator at each school, in 2004. The record attendance of 2,975 is the largest ever in the Salisbury-Washington series history which dates back to 1974. SU holds a 22-19 series advantage against Washington. The record attendance is also the second largest in Sea Gull Stadium history for a men's lacrosse game. SU drew 3,417 back on May 18, 1991 when Salisbury served as the host of the Division III national championship game against Hobart College. That was the last year the Division III championship was ever hosted on a school site.

"It was a great atmosphere to play in," said SU junior midfielder Kylor Berkman. "This is the first time the Brine King of Spring College Tour [pregame FanFest area] stopped at a Division III venue this year. There were people all lined up around the field."

In the first half, the Sea Gulls jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead behind goals by sophomore Jake DeLillo (three goals), senior Matt Hickman (two goals, one assist) and Von Kamecke. The Shoremen answered with a goal by Kolyn Kirby (three goals, one assist) assisted by Jimmy Kielek (two goals, three assists) at the 10:35 mark. Salisbury senior Greg Titus (three goals) scored two back-to-back goals to give SU a 5-1 lead. Washington tacked on a goal right before the end of the first quarter.

The second quarter began with a goal by Kylor Berkman (one goal, four assists) off an assist by Richardson. Kielek scored two quick ones for the Shoremen before DeLillo deposited one of the best looking goals of the day. The shifty attackman scooped up a ground ball on the crease and threw the shot behind his back past Washington goalie Gordon Cohen (16 saves).

Salisbury goalie Zach Krissoff made nine of his career-high 12 saves in the first half as he faced 34 Washington shots. The Sea Gulls got off 44 shots in the win.

"I was really impressed with Krissoff. He played really well" said Washington coach J.B. Clarke, in his 10th season. "When you go down to Salisbury and you miss 1-on-1 opportunities with the goalie it is going to be difficult to win the game."

The Sea Gulls won 19-of-30 face-offs, led by senior Ryan Brown (13-of-21), and cleared 17-of-19 chances. Salisbury scooped up 34 ground balls and caused nine of Washington's 15 turnovers.

Salisbury will next wait for the official announcement of the 2008 NCAA Division III men's lacrosse tournament field which will be announced on May 4. The Sea Gulls will hope to carry the current momentum into the postseason and help Coach Berkman secure the all-time wins record.

"I am glad to be part of the team that will help coach get there," said SU senior defenseman Ben Sandlin. "Hopefully, in the NCAA playoffs we will get him the record breaking win."