SALISBURY, Md. – Salisbury University senior Kandice Hancock did not take her first shot until nearly 100 minutes into the top-ranked field hockey team's game against No. 12 Christopher Newport University on Wednesday night. Of the 31 combined shots fired by both teams prior to Hancock's first attempt, in more than 95 minutes of play, no one had found the back of the cage.

But Hancock was the saving grace of the No. 1-ranked Sea Gulls. She raced down the left sideline as the seconds ticked away in the second overtime period. The Westover, Md., native cut toward the middle and ripped a shot past Captains goalkeeper Brittany Bradsher, finding the left side of the cage for a 1-0, sudden-victory win. The tally came just 42 seconds before the game would have gone to penalty strokes.

Hancock's first goal of the season pushed the Sea Gulls' winning streak to 16 games dating back to last season and she was quick to point out following the game that it was a team effort, particularly on the defensive end.

Junior goalkeeper Anna Cooke turned away six shots in the game, including coming out of her cage to shut down a pair of breakaways, one late in regulation and the other in the first overtime. All six of Cooke's saves came in the two overtime periods, and she was helped by her defensive teammates, who combined for three saves in the game.

Senior back Ashley Kisner made a pair defensive saves in the first half and was all over the field defensively for the Gulls, while junior back Shannon Hanratty was able to make a defensive save in the first overtime period to help preserve the win.

Bradsher made nine saves for the Captains (2-1) while Stephanie Bair also had a defensive save.

Salisbury will host the SU Field Hockey Invitational this weekend, as the Sea Gulls welcome William Paterson University, Juniata College and Randolph-Macon College for the two-day event.