NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – The sixth-ranked and second-seeded Salisbury University field hockey team endured another tough draw against the third-ranked and top-seeded Christopher Newport Captains, falling 2-0 in the Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference (C2C) Tournament Championship on Saturday evening at Jennings Family Stadium.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Neither side could break through in the first quarter, as Sea Gull goalkeeper Addy O'Connell and Captain backstop Lily Kerr matched each other with two saves apiece.
• The second quarter proved just as much a defensive struggle as the teams combined to put just one shot on goal. O'Connell got in front of an attempt from Katie Abendschoen in the 29th minute to keep the game scoreless at the half.
• After nearly 45 minutes of scoreless action, the Captains finally broke through in the dying moments of the third quarter. Off a penalty corner, Abendschoen found Alexis Morales to the left of the cage, who backhanded a shot that deflected off an SU defender in front of the net and in to give CNU a 1-0 lead.
• The Captains added an insurance tally off another penalty corner early in the fourth quarter. Courtney Hughlett set up Abby Asuncion, who sniped one past O'Connell and into the cage to double the CNU lead, 2-0.
• CNU buckled down from there and didn't allow the Sea Gulls to take a shot in the final period to lock up the league title.

SALISBURY GAME NOTES

• The Sea Gulls were shut out for the first time this season and the first time since Nov. 13, 2022, in the NCAA quarterfinals against Williams.
• Marli McDorman took a team-high three shots, including two on goal. Arden Hunteman accounted for Salisbury's only other shot on goal.
• Addy O'Connell recorded four saves, coming up on the short end of the decision.
• Isabel Larrabee made a defensive save.

CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT GAME NOTES

• Alexis Morales and Abby Asuncion tallied a goal each for the Captains.
• Katie Abendschoen and Courtney Hughlett dished out assists on Morales' and Asuncion's goals, respectively.
• The Captains outshot Salisbury 13-8 for the day, including 7-3 in shots on goal, and won the penalty corner battle 11-5.
• Lily Kerr made three saves to seal the deal on CNU's first conference title since 2017 and an undefeated 17-0 record heading into the national tournament.

UP NEXT

• The Sea Gulls now await their postseason fate as they seek an at-large bid into the 2023 NCAA Division III Field Hockey Tournament.
• The Division III field hockey selection show will be streamed live on NCAA.com on Sunday at 10:30 p.m.

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Salisbury University is a proud member of NCAA Division III with primary membership in the Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference, along with the New Jersey Athletic Conference for football and men's and women's swimming, and the Coastal Lacrosse Conference for men's lacrosse. With over 500 student-athletes in 21 varsity sports, SU is recognized as one of the most competitive intercollegiate athletics programs regardless of division, featuring dedicated coaches and staff that foster excellence on and off the field. The Sea Gulls have celebrated 23 team national championships, 24 individual national champions, 196 conference championships, and 45 Academic All-Americans.

To Make Tomorrow Yours at Salisbury University, and learn more about Sea Gull Athletics' tradition of excellence, visit www.SUSeaGulls.com or follow on social media @SUSeaGulls.