Salisbury Reigns as CAC Champs Beating Catholic, 3-1
Washington, D.C.- The field looked different but the result was the same for the Salisbury University field hockey team defeated top-seed Catholic University 3-1 on Saturday afternoon to win an unprecedented 12th consecutive Capital Athletic Conference title.

In a rematch of last year’s title game, Salisbury made sure the outcome would also mirror the game. A year ago, the Sea Gulls downed the Cardinals, 3-1, and history repeated itself again today.

"It was a great victory for us," said Salisbury coach Dawn Chamberlin. "We weren't at home on our field. We had to avenge their loss from earlier in the season. The game was a lot closer then the score indicates."

Salisbury, the three-time NCAA Division III national champions, got on the board first with a goal from freshman Lauren Correll, her seventh tally in the CAC tournament. Later in the first half, senior Abby Rowe scored off a pass from junior Danielle Twilley to give the Sea Gulls a two-goal cushion with her 13th goal of the season.

Catholic senior Jayme Dinsmore answered late in the first as she deflected a Melissa Sampson pass behind the Salisbury goalie Maria Ramoundos (two saves) to pull CUA within one at the half.

In the second half, Salisbury’s defense turned up the intensity and stifled the Catholic offense as it held the Cardinals to one shot and one corner.

Off a penalty corner with about 10 minutes remaining, Twilley struck the final blow when her shot beat Catholic goalie Marian Cassilly (12 saves).

Catholic (12-7) defeated Salisbury 1-0 earlier in the regular-season to earn home field advantage for the CAC tournament. It was the first loss at home for the Gulls in 72-games.

"This sets the tone [for the remainder of the postseason] and sends a message to those who doubted us," said Chamberlin. "We have this burning desire. We want to win. Hopefully, it will continue as we move on."

Salisbury will wait until tomorrow evening when the NCAA will announce the Division III field on www.ncaasports.com at 9 p.m. The first round is scheduled to start on Wednesday, November 8.

"Certainly this is the first step in our postseason journey. We reached our first goal," said Chamberlin.