Sea Gulls fall a second straight time to CNU
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - For the second time in as many chances the No. 6 Salisbury University field hockey team was upended by No. 13 Christopher Newport University, 2-1, at Captains Field on Wednesday afternoon before a crowd of 300.

The 2-1 score has become a staple between the two rivals as the last three meetings have ended with that score. The Sea Gulls (1-1) have dropped the last two meetings with the Captains (2-1) dating back to last season's NCAA Division III tournament second round game.

SU senior back Danielle Twilley scored her second goal of the season and the lone Salisbury strike at the 41st minute mark of the second half to tie the game at 1-1.

CNU took a brief lead when Ashley Cybulski found the back of the cage off a feed from Stephanie Blair at the 40th minute. SU quickly answered as sophomore Michelle Rowe found Twilley for the equalizer less than a minute later.

The Sea Gulls and Captains went into intermission deadlocked at no goals apiece as SU freshman goalie Claire Davey-Karlson made her first career start in the cage. Davey-Karlson (0-1) made seven second half saves to go along with her three stops in the first half for a total of 10 for the game.

The Captains scored the game-winner at 54:22 off an unassisted goal from Haylie Black.

The loss is the earliest regular season defeat the Gulls have suffered since 2000 when SU dropped a 1-0 decision to Messiah in its second game of the year.

The Sea Gulls return to action this weekend (September 8-9) as they host the annual Salisbury Invitational at Sea Gull Stadium. SU opens up the tournament with an 8:30 a.m. game against Denison on Saturday, September 8. Eastern Mennonite and SUNY Brockport are participating in the tournament as well.