SALISBURY, Md. – The No. 7 Salisbury University field hockey team rallied for a late winner on Wednesday evening, defeating the University of Mary Washington, 2-1, at Sea Gull Stadium. After three scoreless quarters, the Sea Gulls scored twice in the fourth quarter to secure the victory.
The teams battled through a scoreless first half, with Salisbury generating the majority of the offensive pressure. The Sea Gulls recorded 14 shots through the opening two quarters and earned five penalty corners. Maddie Castaneda made one save for Salisbury in the first half as the Eagles looked for opportunities on the counterattack.
The defensive battle continued through the third quarter, with neither team finding the breakthrough. Salisbury added four shots in the period, while the Sea Gull defense limited Mary Washington to one attempt to send the contest into the final 15 minutes still scoreless.
Salisbury finally broke through just 35 seconds into the fourth quarter. Following a penalty corner, Devon DeGregory set up Layla Kent, who found the back of the cage at 45:35 to give the Sea Gulls a 1-0 lead.
Mary Washington answered at 50:03 to even the score at 1-1. Salisbury continued to pressure the Eagles' defense and earned several penalty corners in the closing minutes. With just 1:16 remaining, the Sea Gulls earned a penalty stroke. DeGregory stepped up and converted at 58:44, restoring Salisbury's lead and delivering the 2-1 victory.
Game Notes
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The Sea Gulls outshot Mary Washington 26-6, including a 17-4 advantage in shots on goal.
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Salisbury earned 12 penalty corners, compared with six for the Eagles.
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Kent led Salisbury with 10 shots, while Tessa Gray added six attempts.
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Castaneda made three saves in goal for the Sea Gulls.
The Sea Gulls return to Sea Gull Stadium on Friday, hosting SUNY Cortland at 1 p.m.
Salisbury University is a proud member of NCAA Division III with primary membership in the Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference, along with affiliate membership in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (football, men's & women's swimming), Coastal Lacrosse Conference (men's lacrosse), State University of New York Athletic Conference (field hockey), and Colonial Women's Golf Conference (women's golf). With over 500 student-athletes in 23 varsity sports, SU is recognized as one of the nation's 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 won a combined 23 team national championships, 26 individual national championships, and 211 conference championships, and have produced 54 Academic All-Americans.
To Make Tomorrow Yours at Salisbury University, and learn more about Sea Gull Athletics' tradition of excellence, visit SUSeaGulls.com or follow on social media @SUSeaGulls.
