#1 Salisbury (18-1) vs. #5 Middlebury (17-1)
NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Tournament - National Championship Game
Sunday, May 25, 2003 -- 12 noon -- Ravens Stadium, Baltimore, MD
Internet Radio: www.broadcastmonsters.com

Salisbury University returns to the NCAA Division III Tournament’s national championship game for the sixth time in school history and the first time since 2000. The Sea Gulls had a first-round bye in this year’s NCAA Tournament and advanced to the national championship game with a 16-1 second round win over Cabrini, a 26-8 quarterfinal win over Franklin & Marshall, and a 15-8 semifinal victory over Whittier.  The Sea Gulls, national champions in 1994, 1995 and 1999, are aiming for their fourth NCAA title.

Salisbury in Championship Games
The Sea Gulls are making their sixth appearance in the NCAA Division III national championship game, with a 3-2 record in those games.  Salisbury lost 12-11 to Hobart in the 1991 final. The Gulls defeated Hobart 15-9 in 1994, defeated Nazareth 22-13 in 1995, defeated Middlebury 13-6 in 1999, and lost to Middlebury 16-12 in 2000. The 1991 championship game was hosted by Salisbury. The other four championship games have all been played at the University of Maryland’s Byrd Stadium.

Championship Weekend Appearances
The current championship format, with the Division III final played at a neutral site as part of the Division I Championship Weekend, began in 1992. Salisbury is making its fifth appearance at the championship weekend, tied with Nazareth and Middlebury for most appearances by Division III teams in the current format. Salisbury was the last team to host the Division III national championship game on its campus. Visiting Hobart defeated SU 12-11 in the 1991 final.

Salisbury vs. Middlebury
The Sea Gulls hold a 3-2 edge in the series between the teams. This year’s meeting marks the third straight time the teams are meeting with a national championship on the line. Previous scores in the series:

Middlebury 11, Salisbury 7 (1985)
Salisbury 15, Middlebury 4 (1995)
Salisbury 14, Middlebury 9 (1998)
Salisbury 13, Middlebury 6 (1999)
Middlebury 16, Salisbury 12 (2000)

Gulls Making 25th Postseason Appearance
In addition to making its 15th straight NCAA Tournament appearance, the longest active streak among Division III programs, Salisbury is playing in the postseason championship for the 25th time in 30 years of lacrosse. SU is also playing in the Division III Tournament (initiated in 1980) for the 21st time, a record for the most appearances in the championship. Since 1980, the Gulls are 25-17 in tournament games, including 21-11 during Coach Jim Berkman’s 15-year tenure.

Gulls Need One Win For School Record
With 18 victories this season, the Sea Gulls need one more win to break the school-record for victories in a single season, established in 1999. Salisbury finished 18-1 that season while claiming its third national championship.

Salisbury vs. Division III’s Best
The Sea Gulls have played seven games against teams ranked in the USILA’s Top 20 poll this season, with a 6-1 record in those contests. Salisbury has victories against #12 Ohio Wesleyan (15-11), #20 Roanoke (18-7) #5 Gettysburg (17-2), #3 Washington (17-12, #9 Franklin & Marshall (26-8) and #2 Whittier (15-8). SU’s only loss came against #18 Lynchburg (13-12).

By the Numbers
The Sea Gulls have scored 343 goals and surrendered just 114, ranking among the national leaders in both offense and defense. Salisbury leads the nation in scoring (18.0 gpg) and ranks second in scoring defense (5.6 gpg). SU also leads the nation in scoring margin (+12.4) and ranks first in winning percentage (.947). The Gulls have scored 20+ goals in five games this year, with a season high of 26 goals twice. The defense has limited eight opponents to five goals or less, including one shutout and two one-goal games. The Gulls have scored at least 12 goals in every game this season.

The X Man
Junior face-off specialist Andy Murray has been one of the keys to SU’s success this season, winning 236 of 362 draws (.652). Murray, who earned first team all-America midfield honors in 2002, has been especially effective in the postseason, winning 45 of 68 attempts (.662), highlighted by an 18 of 19 performance against Cabrini in the NCAA Tournament’s second round. Murray is also SU’s leader in groundballs, with 195, and ranks fifth on the team in scoring with 24 goals, 17 assists and 41 points

Bergey Enjoying Record Season in Goals, Points
Senior attackman Josh Bergey has emerged as a strong candidate for national player of the year honors after a record-setting 2003 season. Bergey has become just the eighth Salisbury player in the 30-year history of the program to eclipse the single-season 100-point mark. Bergey enters the championship game with 68 goals, 44 assists and 112 total points. His career totals and rankings are 114 goals (8th), 115 assists (4th) and 229 points (4th).


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