SALISBURY, Md. – The No. 8 Salisbury University field hockey team earned its fourth Capital Athletic Conference win of the season Wednesday night in the final regular season home contest of the year, defeating St. Mary's College of Maryland, 3-0, at Sea Gull Stadium.

Wednesday's win, coupled with a win by the University of Mary Washington at Wesley College, assured the Sea Gulls of a top-three seed in the upcoming CAC tournament, and a first-round bye.

Prior to Wednesday night's victory, the Sea Gulls celebrated the six seniors – Hannah Castelow, Katie Hastings, Stacey Lamboni, Haley Quillen, Jessica Seay and Emily Voshell – who have compiled a 60-12 record in the past four years, outscoring their opponents by a combined score of 303-58 and have advanced to three NCAA tournaments.

Salisbury (11-3, 4-1, CAC) came out of the gate with a quick goal as freshman Yumi Kim added to her recent hot streak, having scored six goals in the last four games entering Wednesday night. Kim scored an unassisted goal less than three minutes into the game. She carried the ball in from the right side, around a pair of defenders, and popped the ball into the short side for the 1-0 lead.

Salisbury would not extend its lead before halftime, but came close on many occasions, none more so than with 20 minutes showing on the clock. Salisbury attacked the St. Mary's (8-5, 1-3 CAC) goal as juniors Mallory Elliott, Summer Washburn and Seay got off consecutive shots, all turned away by Seahawk keeper Christy Bishop.

Salisbury held an 18-3 edge in shots in the first half, and would build on its lead in the second half, without much hesitation.

Kim put home her second goal of the day just 50 seconds into the second half, taking a feed from sophomore Samantha Johnson and working in on the right side of the circle. She then fired into the cage for the 2-0 lead, and Kim's 11th goal of the season, tied for the team lead with sophomore Courtney Jantzen.

The two goals would be plenty for the SU defense, which recorded its third shutout in the past four games. Junior goalkeeper Rachel Clewer did not see a single shot at her in the second half, needing just one save to protect her goal. It was the Salisbury midfield and defense – led by Hastings, Washburn, sophomores Breck Sullivan and Amanda Cooper, and freshman Alexis Carroll – which kept the ball away from the Salisbury keeper.

Johnson capped the scoring in the 44th minute, though it looked like Washburn would get the tally. Washburn ripped a shot from the top of the circle, beating Bishop, but the ball kicked off the post. Johnson was there to quickly clean it up, pushing the SU lead to 3-0.

The Sea Gulls will be off until next Wednesday when they travel to Wesley for the regular season finale. The day will determine the seeding for the CAC tournament. Salisbury, Christopher Newport University and the Mary Washington are bunched at the top of the standings, with each holding one loss or none in conference play.