SALISBURY, Md. – The No. 7 Salisbury University field hockey team is one step closer to a Capital Athletic Conference title, earning a 2-1 win against No. 13 Christopher Newport University on Wednesday night at Sea Gull Stadium in the CAC semifinal round.

The contest was a rematch of a meeting from one week ago, when the teams needed extra time to decide the outcome. But this week, the Sea Gulls would pull ahead to the early lead, and rely on defensive strength to preserve the victory.

Just over 10 minutes into the contest, Salisbury got the best scoring chance of the early going. Senior Jessica Crew split two defenders, just at the edge of the circle, and had time to wind up for a shot from 10 yards out. The try beat Christopher Newport goalkeeper Bailey Lien, but missed just left of the target.

Five minutes later, Salisbury, the CAC tournament's second-seeded team, got the go-ahead goal. On Salisbury's second penalty corner of the night, senior Sam Johnson inserted to the top of the circle. The ball got through the first Sea Gull, but senior back Amanda Cooper controlled the ball.

Cooper sent a pass to junior Annah Brittingham on the left wing, who redirected the effort toward senior Courtney Jantzen at the left post. Jantzen fired a shot toward the cage, which was deflected and got past Lien for the 1-0 lead.

The goal was Jantzen's team-leading 11th of the season, and gives her 51 for her career, moving the Cockeysville, Maryland native into sole possession of ninth place on the all-time Salisbury list.

Christopher Newport, the tournament's third-seeded team, struggled to get the ball to the circle, stalled by the Salisbury defense and midfield, with senior Breck Sullivan making a number of one-on-one stops in space.

With just under 10 minutes left in the first half, the Captains (13-4) earned their second penalty corner. Cori Black inserted from the left side, to Brittan Muir on the left wing. Muir fired a shot, which Salisbury sophomore goalkeeper Tressie Windsor kicked out. The rebound found Black, but her try was also kicked out by Windsor, ending the threat.

The saves were two of four for Windsor in the game, who earned her 13th victory of the year.

The Sea Gulls (13-3) got an insurance goal, which would turn out to be key, with six minutes left in the first period. Junior Becca Rinaca carried the ball down the right side before sending a centering pass in front for Crew. The senior would not miss on this opportunity, pounding the ball home for her fourth goal of the year and the 2-0 lead.

The score remained 2-0 into the second half when Christopher Newport was awarded a penalty stroke as a Captain was tripped just entering the top of the circle in the 41st minute. Alexa Weaver converted on the try, to cut the lead in half, but it was all Salisbury defense from there.

The Sea Gull midfield and defense, paced by Sullivan, Cooper, Brittingham and junior Hannah Miller, and anchored by junior Jessie Todd, surrendered just one more Christopher Newport shot in the game, as Salisbury held on for the victory.

Lien stopped five Salisbury shots in the game and Muir had a pair of defensive saves for the Captains.

With the win, Salisbury advances to Saturday's CAC championship match at top-seeded University of Mary Washington. The Eagles, ranked No. 11 nationally, defeated fourth-seeded York College of Pennsylvania, 4-1, on Wednesday afternoon.