SALISBURY, Md. – The No. 1 Salisbury University field hockey team collected a 5-0 win against York College of Pennsylvania in the semifinal round of the Capital Athletic Conference tournament on Wednesday night at Sea Gull Stadium.

The top-seeded Sea Gulls nearly struck just four minutes in when senior Summer Washburn took an insert on the team's third penalty corner opportunity on the left side. Washburn would rip a shot that trickled through the York defense, but it struck the post, staying out of the goal.

It would take just eight more minutes for Salisbury to grab the lead, as Washburn would strike for what would be her third game-winning goal of the year. Washburn took control near the top of the circle and dribbled through a pair of Spartan defenders before slipping the ball under York goalkeeper Jessica Everett for the 1-0 lead.

The advantage would double two minutes later when freshman Natalie Wilkinson found the back of the cage, taking a long centering pass from junior Jessica Crew and placed the ball into the left side of the goal.

It wouldn't be until late in the half when the Sea Gulls pushed the lead to three, as junior Samantha Johnson came on a breakaway with sophomore Abbey Shobe. Johnson pushed a pass to Shobe, behind the York defense, giving Shobe room to dribble in before putting in the Sea Gulls' third goal.

The assist was Johnson's 30th of her career, which moves her into a tie for fourth on Salisbury's all-time list and it was her 14th of the year. The 14 helpers this season ties senior Mallory Elliott for the team lead and is tied for fourth in Salisbury history for a single-season total.

The York offense was limited in the first half, attempting just one shot, which missed wide right. The Salisbury midfield and defense, led by juniors Amanda Cooper and Breck Sullivan and sophomore Hannah Miller, stood strong allowing the Spartans minimal possession in their offensive end of the field throughout the game, and surrendered just eight total shots in the game, six of which were on target.

Senior goalkeeper Rachel Clewer stopped five shots, while freshman Tressie Windsor turned away one offering in her 10:05 in goal.

Salisbury extended its lead to four goals 15 minutes into the second half when a long ball was sent into the circle by Miller. The ball was tipped by junior Courtney Jantzen 10 yards from the end line, and was able to get through into the left side of the goal for the 4-0 lead.

Salisbury would cap the scoring in the 58th minute, off one of the Sea Gulls' 12 penalty corners in the game. Elliott took the insert from Johnson, and stepped around a York defender, ripping a shot toward Everett. The Spartan keeper stopped the shot, but the rebound deflected to her right where Johnson was able to collect it and slam a shot behind Everett for the 5-0 advantage.

Everett finished with 14 saves in the match, while three different Spartans recorded shots and Katie Petrillo made a defensive save.

With the win, the Sea Gulls advance to the CAC championship match on Saturday, November 8, which they will host at Sea Gull Stadium against third-seeded Christopher Newport University. The Captains picked up a 3-0 win against second-seeded University of Mary Washington on Wednesday afternoon to advance to the title match. Saturday's CAC title tilt will begin at 5 p.m.