ST. MARY'S CITY, Md. - For the first time in
program history the Salisbury University men's lacrosse team found
themselves in unfamiliar territory on Thursday afternoon as the
third-seed Sea Gulls played their first-ever Capital Athletic
Conference tournament game on the road. The Sea Gulls did not
disappoint as they enacted revenge against second-seed St. Mary's
(Md.) College with an 18-5 win in the CAC semifinal round. The
Seahawks handed Salisbury an 11-10 loss last Friday (April 10) as
SMC scored a last second goal to beat the Sea Gulls for the first
time since 1977.
Salisbury (13-3), who is ranked 10th in the nation, will travel
to Owings Mills, Md., on Sunday, April 19, to face top-ranked and
top-seed Stevenson University in the conference championship. The
Sea Gulls have won every CAC title, 14 straight, since they joined
the conference in 1995. On the line Sunday will be an automatic bid
into next month's NCAA Division III tournament. Salisbury, the
two-time defending national champions, lost 12-8 against Stevenson
at home on April 4. Stevenson (14-0) defeated fourth-seed Wesley
College (10-5) by 15 goals, 19-4, in the other CAC semifinal on
Thursday.
Salisbury junior attackman Jake
DeLillo established a new career-high for
goals scored with five against the Seahawks. The Yorktown Heights,
N.Y., native also matched his previous career-high with six points
as he added one assist for SU. Senior All-American Kylor
Berkman had a huge game as the reigning Division III
National Player and Midfielder of the Year scored two goals and
passed out a game-high four assists. Berkman was held to three
assists last week against St. Mary's. Sophomore Erik
Krum continued his strong play against the Seahawks as he
scored three goals and had one assist after last week's performance
where he scored three goals. Midfielders Patrick
Bonanno (one assist) and Mike Von Kamecke
each scored twice. Senior Stephen Krasco, junior
Mike Winter and freshmen Sam
Bradman and Matt Cannone (one assist)
each scored one goal apiece. Juniors Matt Cowley,
Ryan Finch (15-of-23 face-offs), Kevin
Finn, Will Poletis and sophomore
Shawn Zordani each registered one assist.
The Sea Gulls scored the game's first two goals and held a 4-1
lead after one quarter of play. SMC scored four times in the second
quarter while Salisbury post five goals to take a 9-5 lead into
halftime.
SU's defense did a terrific job in the second half as Salisbury
held St. Mary's without out a goal. Sophomore goalie Johnny
Rodriguez (13-2) made two saves in 52 minutes of work
while sophomore Tim Swinburn recorded three saves
over the final eight minutes of play. SMC goalie Pat Simpson (eight
saves) suffered the loss six days after he stopped 15 shots by
Salisbury.
SU outshot the Seahawks 37-21 including 18-11 in the second
half. The Gulls scooped up 38 ground balls to SMC's 32. Salisbury
was successful on clears 14-of-17 and limited St. Mary's to
12-of-23.
St. Mary's Ryan Alexander led the Seahawks with two goals while
reigning CAC Player of the Week Chris Becraft scored one goal and
one assist.
