FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – The No. 5 Salisbury University field hockey team saw a late goal lead to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of No. 13 University of Mary Washington on Saturday afternoon.

The Sea Gull defense was tested throughout the day, facing double-digit shots from an opponent for just the third time this year, with the Eagles (12-4, 4-1 CAC) getting 11 attempts off in the game, while Salisbury put up 12 tries, including a late flurry that came up just short.

Mary Washington got the first four shot attempts of the game, along with three penalty-corner chances, capitalizing on the third corner for the game's first goal. Kathleen Namey got the score for the Eagles, taking a pass from Carlee Budd for the 1-0 lead, 12 minutes into the contest.

The Sea Gulls came back with their own offensive push over the next 10 minutes getting a pair of shots off and seeing junior Becca Rinaca tallying the game-tying goal in the 21st minute off an assist from the cross of classmate Abbey Shobe.

Each team would pick up a defensive save in the opening half with senior Amanda Cooper making the stop for Salisbury and Budd turning away Rinaca's try late in the first half as the teams hit the break tied at 1-1.

Salisbury had the better of the chances in the closing 23 minutes of the first half, outshooting the Eagles 6-2 in that time.

The teams traded chances through much of the second half, but neither would break through until the Eagles got the game winner in the 63rd minute when Budd assisted Namey again, this time off one of eight penalty corners Mary Washington had in the game for the 2-1 lead.

Over the closing seven minutes of play, the Sea Gulls (10-3, 3-1 CAC) turned up the offensive pressure receiving four penalty corners, including a pair with no time showing on the clock, while getting four shots on target. Mary Washington goalkeeper Jessica Cavolt stopped one try and Budd was credited with three defensive saves, including two on shots by Rinaca and sophomore Natalie Wilkinson after the full 70 minutes had expired to finish off the game.

Cavolt made six saves in the game, while Salisbury's sophomore goalkeeper Tressie Windsor stopped five Mary Washington tries.

The CAC loss is the first this season for the Sea Gulls, who will face the only remaining unbeaten team in league play – No. 14 Christopher Newport University – on Wednesday, October 28 at 6 p.m., in Newport News, Virginia.