WASHINGTON, DC. – The third-ranked Salisbury University women's lacrosse team won its second road affair in four days, besting the Catholic University of America Cardinals 17-9 in Saturday afternoon's action at Carlini Field.

The Cardinals (0-1) struck for the first two goals 38 seconds apart to take an early 2-0 lead with 12 minutes remaining in the first quarter. The Sea Gulls (2-0) roared back with five straight goals to set the tone for the remaining time in the first frame. Julianna Ott and Regan McDonnell found the back of the cage 39 seconds apart, then Grace Doyle found Leah Doy to take the lead. Doyle tickled the twine 22 seconds later after receiving a feed from Grace Milliron, then Audrey Harrington rounded out the Maroon and Gold's barrage with an unassisted tally to make it 5-2.

SU won the second quarter by a 3-2 margin to hold an 8-4 advantage heading into halftime. Avery Dunbar assisted on Miranda Mears' first and Ott's second of the contest. Harrington added in another goal before Catholic potted in the final two scores before the half.

The Gulls managed to pull away by scoring five straight goals in the third frame. After the Cardinals put up the first two tallies, Harrington completed a hat trick, receiving a pass from Lauren Hackett, then Doy, Mears, McDonnell and Harrington again sparked the surge capped off by Dunbar's first score of the afternoon to make it 14-7 with one quarter left to play.

Salisbury took the final frame 3-2. Hackett and Mears scored during seven on six play, and Mackenzie Demaio put the cherry on top.

GAME NOTES

• Dunbar led the team with a goal and four helpers.
• Harrington found twine four times. Mears notched her 15th career hat trick.
• Doy, McDonnell and Ott found the back of the net twice.
• Maddyn McAnaney scooped up three ground balls.
• Paige Ellis earned the win and made six saves. Jaclyn Bange replaced Ellis in the fourth quarter and made three stops.
• The Sea Gulls outshot the Mustangs 33-26, finished 21-of-24 on clear attempts, won the ground ball battle 17-16 and won 13 of the 28 draws in the contest.

The Sea Gulls return to the Eastern Shore to take on No. 11 Washington and Lee in SU's home opener on Sunday, February 22 at 12 p.m. inside Sea Gull Stadium. 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, 24 individual national championships, and 206 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.