SALISBURY, Md.- Two weeks ago,
No. 1 Salisbury University and St. Mary's (Md.) College met for the
Capital Athletic Conference women's lacrosse championship. The
top-ranked Sea Gulls came away with their sixth straight title and
the right to serve as a 2008 NCAA Division III regional host. The
two teams crossed paths again on Saturday at Sea Gull Stadium in
the regional semifinals. The result ended in SU's favor for a third
time this season as the maroon and gold took down No. 14 St.
Mary's, 22-9, to advance to Sunday's regional final.
Salisbury (21-0) tied the school record for wins in a season and
will host Catholic University of America on Sunday, May 11, at 1
p.m. in Sea Gull Stadium with a berth into the final four on the
line. The No. 15 Cardinals (17-4) defeated No. 20 Rowan University
17-15 in the second regional semifinal on Saturday.
Salisbury senior Sue Ackermann, the 2008 CAC
Player of the Year, recorded a game-high 10 points (seven goals,
three assists) against the Seahawks (15-6) in the regional
semifinal to pace the Sea Gulls.
Her performance gives her 141 points on the season and
officially breaks the school record she tied in the CAC
championship game previously set by former SU standout Christine
Sliger in 2001. Ackermann is now five points and four assists away
from tying the SU career points and assists records.
In three games against St. Mary's this season Ackermann has
scored 26 points (13 goals, 13 points).
Salisbury scored the game's first six goals before St. Mary's
got on the board at the 17-minute mark when freshman Aileen
McCausland netted an unassisted goal.
Sea Gull midfielder Jessica Chmielewski came
through with a strong game for the Sea Gulls as she netted four
goals and one assist on the day. Robyn Bishop and
Jessica Liston each contributed three goals for
Salisbury in the win. Bishop's first goal was scored less
than 30 seconds into the game. Sophomore Kim
Cudmore(two goals) dished out five assists as she helped
control the Sea Gulls offense. Logan
Bilderback (two goals) and Alexis
Morrell (one goal, one assist) rounded out the scorers for
Salisbury.
The Sea Gulls led 13-4 at the half.
SU goalie Sonja Stuart produced a solid
performance in the goal as she made eight saves in the first half
(nine for the game) and earned her 21st win of the season.
The Seahawks received strong performances from Lauren Carrier
(five goals) and Aileen McCausland and Allie Zerhusen, who each
netted a pair of goals. In the goal, Ella Schoming recorded 11
saves.
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