SALISBURY, Md. – It has been nearly two years to the day since the Salisbury University field hockey team last faced off against The College of New Jersey. On Oct. 18, 2008, the Sea Gulls fell in a heartbreaking 2-1 overtime loss to the Lions, but it was a drastically different story on Saturday night as fifth-ranked Salisbury defeated 11th-ranked TCNJ by a score of 4-1.

The final statistics, which were nearly identical for both squads, were not indicative of the tempo of the contest – Salisbury ran the field for the entire game, starting off with a goal by senior forward Katy Lamboni just two minutes in. That would be the only score for either team in the first half.

Over 40 minutes ticked off of the clock before the second goal was scored, but this time the shot came off the stick of TCNJ's Leigh Mitchell, who capitalized on one of the Lions' nine penalty corner opportunities. With 27 minutes remaining in the game, the teams were tied at one apiece. 

Salisbury (10-2, 5-0 Capital Athletic Conference) was unfazed, buckling down and continuing to maintain a high level of play. In the game's 47th minute junior back Tara McGovern took a feed from Lamboni and tipped a shot to junior midfielder Courtney Webster, who fired past Lion goalkeeper Shannon Syciarz (two saves) to give Salisbury a 2-1 edge. A pair of goals by sophomore forward Kristina Fusco in the 55th and 66th minute sealed the deal for the maroon and gold and earned the Gulls the solid victory.

TCNJ (11-4) and Salisbury each took 10 shots in the contest. The Sea Gulls held a slim advantage in penalty corner opportunities, with 10, while the Lions had nine chances. A noteworthy defensive effort for the Gulls certainly contributed to the lack of scoring opportunities for TCNJ, as junior back Shannon Hanratty notched three defensive saves. Junior goalkeeper Anna Cooke posted four saves. On the season, Salisbury has outscored its opponents 42-8.

Salisbury now focuses its attention to a game on Oct. 20 against No. 12 Lynchburg College. The contest, set to begin at 4 p.m., will be played in Newport News, Va. Coincidentally, it is also the location of this year's NCAA Division III Field Hockey Championships (Nov. 20-21).