SALISBURY, Md. – The No. 2 Salisbury University women's lacrosse team opened up its debut game of the program's 11th NCAA tournament appearance with a bang, defeating Catholic University of America, 18-9, in an NCAA regional semifinal game on Saturday afternoon. Salisbury, which was selected as one of four NCAA regional hosts, will play again tomorrow at 1 p.m. in the regional final at Sea Gull Stadium.

The Sea Gulls (18-1) wasted no time getting on the board as junior attacker Trish DiGirolomo (Davidsonville, Md.) scored the opening goal just 23 seconds into the contest. A mere 49 seconds later, she dished out an assist to fellow junior attacker Logan Bilderback (Arnold, Md.) who fired a shot past Catholic goalkeeper Gab Sena to give the Gulls a 2-0 advantage. That lead would only increase as the first half progressed, with Salisbury tacking on an additional 13 goals in a span of 29 minutes to take a commanding 14-5 lead at the half. First-half statistics were not indicative of the lopsided score, though, as both Catholic and Salisbury won 10 draw controls and capitalized on five free-position shots. Salisbury held a narrow 21-13 advantage in shots over the Cardinals.

"We played a really good first half," said Head Coach Jim Nestor. "The girls played really smart today."

Salisbury continued its aggressive offensive push in the second half and never looked back. The maroon and gold's four second-half goals came from four different Sea Gulls; overall, eight Salisbury players scored in the victory, led by senior attacker Kim Cudmore (Bel Air, Md.) and sophomore midfielder Allie Wheatley (Cambridge, Md.) who each chipped in a game-high four goals.

The Cardinals, whose game today marked the program's third NCAA tournament appearance, finish their 2010 season with a record of 13-7. 

Salisbury will face off against the winner of this afternoon's contest, between The College of New Jersey and Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges. That game is set to begin at 2:30 p.m.