FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – The No. 8 Salisbury University field hockey team locked up a first-round bye and a home game in the upcoming Capital Athletic Conference tournament with a 5-0 victory at the University of Mary Washington on Saturday.

The victory, along with Christopher Newport University's 4-2 win on Saturday against York College of Pennsylvania, locked the Sea Gulls into the No. 2 spot in the standings, as the Captains will be the top seed. Salisbury will host York, which will be the No. 3 seed in the field, in a conference semifinal game on Wednesday, November 1.

In Saturday's victory, neither team could find the back of the net early, with the two goalkeepers standing strong. The Sea Gulls (10-3, 4-1 CAC) attempted five shots in the opening half, putting four on target, but Mary Washington keeper Jessica Cavolt stopped them all.

The Eagles (9-7, 2-3 CAC) were able to put five of their six shots on goal with senior goalkeeper Tressie Windsor stopping four and sophomore defender Lindsey Elgin stopping the other with a defensive save, her second of the season. Mary Washington held a 5-1 edge in penalty corners in the first half, but the game went to the half scoreless.

The 0-0 tie held until freshman Camryn Dennis was able to convert off an assist from sophomore Arielle Johnston with just under 18 minutes left in the match. The tally was the third of the year for Dennis.

Things escalated quickly for the Salisbury offense, which went on an 11-minute tear, scoring four more times. Senior Natalie Wilkinson scored unassisted 80 seconds after Dennis and senior Nicole Lindner got in the scoring column 30 seconds after that, putting the Sea Gulls ahead 3-0.

Salisbury capped the scoring with a goal from Emily Lemanski, assisted by Tara Daddio, and a Daddio unassisted strike in the 64th minute for the 5-0 advantage.

Windsor finished with 10 saves in goal to secure her fifth shutout of the season while Cavolt turned away nine Sea Gull shots.

Salisbury closes out the regular season with their final CAC match of the year, hosting St. Mary's College of Maryland on Wednesday, October 25. That contest will begin at 6 p.m.