NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – The sixth-ranked Salisbury University field hockey team took the field in Newport News, Va., on a soggy Wednesday afternoon to square off against 11th-ranked Lynchburg College in what marked the first meeting between the two teams since 2001. Salisbury came away with a resounding 5-1 victory to improve its overall record to 11-2, 5-0 Capital Athletic Conference.

The Sea Gulls set the tempo early on in the contest as senior midfielder Kandice Hancock hammered home a goal just nine minutes in. It was one of three first-half Salisbury goals – the second and third scores came off the stick of junior forward Caitlin Walker exactly one minute apart in the 19th and 20th minute of the contest to give the Sea Gulls a 3-0 edge going into the second half. Lynchburg (11-3) had an opportunity to capitalize on a penalty stroke in the 22nd minute, but junior keeper Anna Cooke (four saves) snuffed out the effort to preserve the Sea Gull lead. 

The Hornets' lone goal of the game came eight minutes into the second half as Hornet Shelly Milks ripped a shot from the right wing to bring Lynchburg's deficit to two goals. That was as close as Lynchburg would get, though, as the Sea Gulls received insurance goals from senior forward Katy Lamboni and sophomore back Amber Holland to earn the victory. 

The final statistics of the game were relatively close; in fact, Lynchburg held an 11-10 advantage in penalty corners, though the Sea Gulls maintained a 16-10 advantage in shots. 

On the season, Salisbury has outscored its opponents a staggering 47-9. In the past three games alone, the Sea Gulls have taken down their opponents by a combined score of 18-2. 

Salisbury will be on the road for its next contest, a match-up against CAC opponent Frostburg State, on Oct. 23 at 11 a.m. The maroon and gold will return home on Tuesday, Oct. 26, to wrap up regular-season CAC play with a contest against Wesley College. Game time is set for 6 p.m.