SALISBURY, Md. – The No. 8 Salisbury University field hockey team earned a 2-1 victory Wednesday night in the semifinal round of the Capital Athletic Conference tournament, holding off No. 11 University of Mary Washington at Sea Gull Stadium.

Two goals by sophomore Courtney Jantzen, and strong defense led by sophomore Amanda Cooper and anchored by junior goalkeeper Rachel Clewer send the second-seeded Sea Gulls (13-3) to the CAC title game at top-seeded Christopher Newport University. The Captains topped Wesley College, 2-1, in overtime on Wednesday.

Jantzen got the scoring started on the second shot of the game, 11 minutes into the contest. Sophomore Samantha Johnson sent a long cross from the right side through the circle, connecting with Jantzen. The Cockeysville, Md., native put a one timer into the left side of the cage for the 1-0 lead.

The one-goal lead would hold up until halftime, but not without the Eagles (15-3) threatening to draw even. Mary Washington had four penalty corners in the first 35 minutes while each team attempted five shots in the opening half, and the Eagles put two shots on target.

In the second half, the teams traded early chances, with the Salisbury defense stepping up to maintain the one-goal lead.

Cooper notched a defensive save at the right post, after a shot by Carlee Budd got past Clewer in the 50th minute. Two minutes later, as Jenna Steele carried the ball into the circle for Mary Washington, freshman Alexis Carroll stepped up to end the threat.

Cooper and Jantzen hooked up three minutes later to double the lead. Cooper launched a ball in from 30 yards out, which Jantzen settled and fired into the cage for the 2-0 lead.

Mary Washington would strike back, with less than five minutes remaining in the contest, when Haley Kane tallied the Eagles' only goal of the match.

The Eagles turned up the pressure in the closing minutes, searching for the equalizer, but could not attempt a shot.

On the evening, Clewer turned away two shots in the contest.

The CAC championship game is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 9. The game time for the contest in Newport News, Va., is to be announced. Check www.suseagulls.com for more information as it becomes available.