SALISBURY, Md. – The fifth-ranked Salisbury University women's lacrosse team captured a 10-6 victory over Rowan University in first round action of the 2011 NCAA tournament on Wednesday afternoon at Sea Gull Stadium.

With the victory, Salisbury advances to the NCAA Regionals, which will be held this Saturday and Sunday at Sea Gull Stadium. SU will square off with Washington and Lee University this Saturday at 11:30 a.m. The winner of that contest advances to the region final on Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m.

SU (18-2) jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in today's contest, with sophomore attacker Katie Bollhorst netting the first goal off of an assist from senior attacker Meagan Osipowich. SU senior Aileen McCausland and junior midfielder Alyssa Fowler followed up with goals to extend the lead to three, before Caitlin Ravel scored Rowan's first goal of the contest with 17:56 remaining. Over the final portion of the first half, the Sea Gulls outscored the Profs 3-1, with Salisbury goals coming from McCausland, Fowler and junior midfielder Allie Wheatley; at the half SU held a 6-3 advantage over the Profs (10-7).

Rowan came out determined after halftime, scoring the first two goals of the second half to bring the score to 6-5 in favor of Salisbury. The Sea Gulls responded with a pair of goals, with Wheatley and Fowler recording tallies for the maroon and gold. Rowan's Michelle Lubrano tallied her fourth goal of the contest with 17:04 remaining in the second half to cut the deficit to 8-6, but that would be as close as it would get as the SU defense clamped down on the visitors. The Salisbury offense added late insurance goals from seniors Morgan Illian and Logan Bilderback to bring the score to its final, at 10-6.

Fowler posted a team-high four points on three goals and one helper, while Bollhorst finished with three points on one goal and two assists.

SU goalkeeper Julie Ann Caulfield improves to 5-0 in her career in NCAA tournament play, as the senior posted nine saves, including seven in the second half of play.

Lubrano finished with four points on four goals, while Vicky Sucharski handed out a pair of assists for the Profs.

Rowan goalkeeper Lindsay Barrie turned in an impressive individual performance with 14 saves in 60 minutes of action.