VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – After a scoreless first period, the Salisbury University women's soccer team used two second-half goals to earn a 2-0 win over Virginia Wesleyan College on Tuesday night in non-conference play.

The first period was a back-and-forth affair, and both teams had good chances to take an early lead. Just over five minutes in, senior Logan O'Meara took a shot from outside the box, but the ball sailed high, and a minute later, junior Jenny Gavigan ripped a shot that glided wide of the goal.

At 20:24, Virginia Wesleyan's Kaitlyn Clunan launched a ball into the back of the net from the right side of the box, but the goal was waived off due to Clunan being offside.

Senior Kandace Racine almost gave Salisbury the lead 12 minutes later on a one-on-one breakaway attempt, but she sent the ball just to the left of the net.

The Sea Gull defense, led by sophomore goalkeeper Hope Knussman, held the Marlins to just four shots in the first period. Knussman picked up two saves in the half, while Salisbury's offense rattled off 10 shots.

Virginia Wesleyan started off fast in the second period, taking the first three shots, but Salisbury's defense held strong and kept the attempts from going in.

Despite the fast start from the Marlins, it would be the Sea Gulls who would strike first. At 55:44, sophomore Ruthie Lucas gave SU a 1-0 lead when she fired in the ball from just outside the box on the right side.

Salisbury extended its lead to 2-0 at 73:12 when sophomore Carliane LaGuerre connected with the first goal of her career, taking advantage of a loose ball in front of VWC goalkeeper Alexis Wheeler and sending it past her for the score.

The Gulls allowed 10 Marlin shots in the second period, but kept them off the board to hold on to the 2-0 lead.

Knussman had a spectacular outing in goal for Salisbury, playing all 90 minutes and notching nine saves, seven in the second period. Wheeler played the whole match in goal for Virginia Wesleyan, adding one save on the night.

The Sea Gulls travel to Lynchburg, Virginia on Friday to take on defending national champion Lynchburg College on the first day of the Shellenberger Soccer Classic. That game is set for 7:30 p.m.