SALISBURY, Md. – The No. 20 Salisbury University men's soccer team opened the season with a strong performance, earning a 5-0 victory against Catholic University of America at the SU Soccer Complex on Wednesday.

The game remained scoreless through the first 25 minutes of action, with the Cardinals holding a 3-1 edge in shots, until the Sea Gulls (1-0) broke through on a goal by senior Ben DeLisle. The tally was headed home off a cross from the foot of senior Dave Corrigan.

DeLisle's goal was the start of a balanced scoring day for the Gulls who saw five different players find the back of the net and five different players register assists.

Salisbury pushed the lead to two just four minutes before halftime as junior Ian Wilson took a nice touch from senior Casey Rector, who calmly played a long ball in from Justin Lambert. Wilson finished the play for a two-goal lead.

The 2-0 edge at halftime would only grow as the Sea Gulls saw their confidence build into the second half. The third goal came quick, in the 52nd minute, as junior Stafford Chipungu sent a flip throw-in from the right side into the box. Corrigan finished for the 3-0 lead.

Corrigan would add another assist, on a Mike Napolitano goal four minutes later, to finish off a career day. It marked the first time that Corrigan had registered two assists in a match and his four points were also a career best.

Sophomore Phil Bucheimer capped the scoring with his first goal in a Sea Gull uniform, in the 80th minute off an assist by freshman Jake Perry.

Salisbury will host the Elmer Lord Classic this weekend at the SU Soccer Complex. The Sea Gulls will take on Geneseo State on Saturday at 2 p.m., and will battle Elizabethtown on Sunday at 3 p.m. Though Salisbury will not play them, the Seahawks of St. Mary's (Md.) College will also take part in the tournament.