WOMEN'S TENNIS RECEIVES FIRST-EVER NCAA TOURNAMENT BID
May 8, 2001

Sea Gulls Face Washington & Lee in Thursday’s South Atlantic Regional

SALISBURY, MD – The Salisbury State women’s tennis team has earned its first-ever berth in the NCAA Championship Tournament, and will begin play in the South Atlantic Regional in Lexington, VA on Thursday. SSU, the region’s #7 seed, faces number two-seed and host Washington & Lee. With a victory, the Sea Gulls would advance to Friday’s second round against either #3 University of the South or #6 Mary Washington.  The women’s tennis team is the fourth SSU squad selected for NCAA Tournament play this week.

“We’re definitely excited to have been selected and to be making our first appearance in the championship,” said second-year Head Coach Randy Halfpap. “We hope this will be the first of many NCAA appearances in the future. I think our selection was a result of the team’s hard work this year.”

The Sea Gulls finished with a 7-4 regular season record and placed second to Mary Washington in the Capital Athletic Conference Tournament. All four losses this year were against teams also selected to the 26-team NCAA championship field.

“Although we lost some key matches against tough opponents, I think the strength of our overall schedule helped us in the selection process,” said Halfpap. “Two of the losses, to Methodist and Mary Washington, were by narrow 5-4 scores.”

Salisbury’s lineup features just one senior among the top six players. Junior Bridget Dellar (Huntingtown, MD) plays in the number one singles flight. The rest of the singles lineup features sophomore Jody Cogar (Lake Placid, NY) at the two position; freshman Samantha Coldren (North East, MD) at three; freshman Cassie Meyer (New Market, MD) at four; senior Courtney Martin (Ellicott City, MD) at five and sophomore Amy Campion (Bowie, MD at six.

Dellar and Meyer combine on the number one doubles team. Coldren and Cogar form the number two doubles unit, with Martin and sophomore Heather Tyng (Columbia, MD) together on the number three doubles team.

Martin finished as the conference’s number five singles champion while Campion captured the number six singles title. Martin and Tyng were also CAC champions at number three doubles. Dellar, Cogar, Coldren and Meyer all finished as conference runnerups in their singles flights.

“I knew at the start of the season that we had the potential to go to the NCAA Tournament this year,” said Halfpap. “Obviously, we’re not as experienced in postseason play as the teams we’ll see in the regionals, but I know we can compete with those teams.”

Two South Atlantic teams will advance to next week’s eight-team national finals in San Antonio, Texas.  

Back to Top

GULLS RECEIVE #1 SEED FOR NCAA SOFTBALL ATLANTIC REGIONAL
May 8, 2001

Harned Headlines All-Conference Team
Salisbury State, which won both the regular season and tournament title in the Capital Athletic Conference for the fifth straight season, also dominated the 2001 all-conference team. The Sea Gulls placed eight players on the all-CAC team, with senior C April Harned named CAC Player of the Year for the second straight season. Her selection marks the fifth straight season that a Sea Gull has won the award.  Joining Harned on the all-CAC squad were 1B Meghan Henning, 2B Jacki Warrington, 3B Lisa Gentilella, SS Kate Garland, OF Erin Gross, OF Katie Mullinix and P Terri Amalfitano.   

Gulls Riding Nine-Game Win Streak
For the second straight season, Salisbury brings a nine-game winning streak into the NCAA Tournament. The streak began with a doubleheader sweep at Chowan on April 14, continued through the CAC Tournament and five non-conference games to close the regular season. The Gulls have also won 20 of their last 22 games. The current winning streak is the team’s third extended run of the season. SSU also had winning streaks of 10 and nine games during the 2001 campaign. The team record was established in 1999, when the Gulls opened the season with 14 straight victories.  

2001 Season Highlights
With 34 wins this season, the Sea Gulls registered their fifth straight season with at least 30 victories. Salisbury won three tournaments during the season. The Gulls finished 6-0 to claim the Virginia Wesleyan Invitational in early March. Later that month, the Gulls captured top honors in the 16-team Bridgewater Fastpitch Classic. SSU then claimed its fifth straight CAC Tournament title in April with wins over Mary Washington and York. SSU has been ranked in the NFCA national poll throughout the season and enters the NCAA Tournament ranked #8 in the latest poll, released on May 2.  The Gulls have set a new team record for runs scored with 388 (9.5 per game), and are on pace to set a new record for highest team batting average, currently at .399 entering the NCAA Tournament.

Checking the SSU Recorbook
Senior all-America C April Harned (Denton, MD/North Caroline HS) has rewritten a large part of the team recordbook this year. In addition to setting new season records for home runs (14), hits (70) and RBI (76), she has also become Salisbury’s career leader in several categories. Harned is now the all-time leader in HRs (51), RBI (193), hits (232) and doubles (51). She also ranks second in runs scored with 133. In recognition of her outstanding season, she has been named the national Division III player of the week three times by the NFCA. Senior RHP Terri Amalfitano (Denton, MD/North Caroline HS) has also moved into the recordbook, tying the season record for wins with 22. Meanwhile, senior OF Erin Gross (Williamsport, MD/ Williamsport HS) set a new team record for doubles this season with 23.  

Head Coach Margie Knight
Now in her fifth season at SSU, Margie Knight, brings a 168-55-1 career record into the 2001 NCAA Tournament.  She joined the SSU staff in 1996 after a distinguished coaching and teaching tenure at North Caroline High School in Ridgely, MD.  In 1998, she led the Gulls to a 36-10 record and first-ever appearance in the College World Series, finishing fifth in the nation.  The year before, she piloted the Gulls to a 33-14 finish and a spot in the NCAA Tournament Atlantic Regional.  SSU concluded the season ranked sixth in the final national poll. Last year, SSU earned its fourth consecutive NCAA Tournament invitation and finished one win away from another trip to the World Series. Knight has been the conference=s coach of the year three times (1997, 1998, 2000), and completed the 2001 season with a 48-2 career record in CAC games.  A 1979 graduate of the University and a member of the SSU Athletics Hall of Fame, Knight also coaches the SSU volleyball team, where she has won two conference championships in the last three seasons.  

Knight's Record at Salisbury State
1997    33-14    NCAA Atlantic Region runnerup
1998    36-10    NCAA Atlantic Region Champs
1999    33-14    NCAA Atlantic Regional
2000   32-10-1 NCAA Northeast Regional runnerup
2001    34-7     CAC Champions, 5^th straight year  

Back to Top

GULLS EARN THIRD STRAIGHT NCAA WOMEN'S LACROSSE BID
May 8, 2001

Six Earn All-CAC Honors
Salisbury placed seven players on the all-Capital Athletic Conference first and second teams, released last week. Named to the first team were senior Jen Mezzadra and junior Christine Sliger on attack, midfielder Kelly Eberling, and defenders Melissa Dugan and Kristen Maisel.  Defender Dawn Joyce was named to the second team. In addition, SSU's Mezzadra was tabbed as the CAC's Player of the Year and Head Coach Dawn Chamberlin was named Coach of the Year.  

Sliger, Mezzadra Lead Recordbook Assault
Junior Christine Sliger and senior Jen Mezzadra have been a potent 1-2 scoring punch for the Sea Gulls this season. Sliger has established new SSU records for assists in one game (10), assists in one season (74), and points in one season (121). Her assist total is also the second highest single-season mark in Division III history and just five away from the national record. Mezzadra leads the Gulls with 76 goals, just three shy of the team record she established last year. She will finish her career as Salisbury’s all-time leader in goals, currently 240, and points, currently 305.  Sliger (7.56 ppg) and Mezzadra (6.68 ppg) begin play in the NCAA Tournament ranked #2 and #3, respectively, in the nation in scoring.  

Head Coach Dawn Chamberlin
Now in her 14th and final season with the Sea Gulls, Chamberlin brings a 118-71 career record into the 2001 NCAA Tournament.  She has piloted the Gulls to winning records in 10 seasons, including a school-record 15 wins and a berth in the national semifinal last year.

Offensively Speaking
Salisbury State brings a 16.9 scoring average into the tournament, an average that ranks third in the nation in the latest statistics. SSU's +8.5 scoring margin also places it seventh in the nation in that category.  The Sea Gulls scored at least 20 goals in five games this year, and scored at least 17 goals in 10 games. Junior Amanda Almon has been the third member of SSU's scoring trio, with 53 goals and 84 points this year. Senior Stephanie Bozick added 25 goals.  

On the Defensive End
The Sea Gulls are allowing 8.4 goals/game and limited 12 of 16 opponents to single-digits in scoring this year. Sophomore goalie Dena Glisan was second in the conference with an 8.08 goals against average.  

About the NCAA Tournament
The Division III Championship field is comprised of 16 teams, grouped into four regionals of four teams each. The four regional winners advance to the national semifinals on May 19. This year=s national semifinals and championship game will be hosted by Johns Hopkins in Baltimore. The Sea Gulls have a 3-2 record in the NCAA Tournament, including wins over Denison and Hamilton last year en route to a berth in the final four.

Back to Top

SSU FINISHES SECOND, THIRD AT MASON-DIXON CHAMPIONSHIP
May 5, 2001

Newport News, VA – The Salisbury State women’s track team finished second among seven teams and the men placed third at the season-ending Mason-Dixon Championship Meet, hosted by Christopher Newport on Saturday.  The SSU women finished with 105 points, second to CNU’s winning total of 262. The SSU men placed fourth with 68 points behind Frostburg (183), Christopher Newport (172) and Mary Washington (97).

The Sea Gull women earned 11 all-conference performances, based on top three finishes in each event.  Top performers included: Kristin Camp, third in both the 800-meters (2:30.25) and the 1,500 (5:07.91) and Scottie Morris, third in both the 5,000-meters (19:50.0) and the 10,000 (42:48.5). 

Other top three finishers were: Leslie Donnelly, second in the javelin (98’ 3”); Regan Cox, third in the javelin (72’ 4”); Tori Peddicord, third in the 400-meters (59.87 secs); Amy Jacobs, third in the pole vault (9’0”); Tenille Byrnes, third in the triple jump (31’0”); and Jessica Schaeffer, third in the 3,000 (11:32.59). 

The women’s 4 x 400 relay team (Jacobs, Kelly Knutson, Jen Jeffas, Peddicord) also set a new school-record with a second-place time of 4:08.15.

The men’s team registered six all-conferences performances. Andrew Morrocco finished with a pair of third place showings in the steeplechase (10:15.40) and the 10,000-meters (34:19.20). Larry O’Hara finished second in the 1,500 (4:04.12) and Beau Ridgway finished third in the shot put (46’ ½”).

Jeremy Beall added a third place finish in the 800-meters (1:58.37) and Justin Johnson was third in the 400-hurdles (56.42 secs).

“This was a great way to wrap up our season with a pair of very strong showings,” said SSU Head Coach Jim Jones.  “We had a number of personal-bests as well as a new school-record.” 

Back to Top

MEN'S LACROSSE CLOSES REGULAR SEASON AT WASHINGTON
May 3, 2001

Sea Gulls Riding Five-Game Win Streak
Salisbury State enters Saturday's game with a five-game winning streak. SSU’s only loss this season came against Gettysburg on March 31, an 11-10 overtime loss at home. That game was one of a school-record six overtime games the Sea Gulls have played this year.  Salisbury is 5-1 in those games, including two triple-overtime victories. SSU has been idle for two weeks since capturing its seventh straight Capital Athletic Conference championship with a 16-4 win over Goucher on April 21.

Sea Gull Notes
A balanced offense features nine players with at least 10 goals this season. Junior attackman Steve Brianas leads the squad with 39 goals and ranks third in points with 45. Freshman attack Andy Arnold, named earlier this week as the CAC’s Rookie of the Year, is second in goals with 35 and second in points with 48. Junior midfielder Josh Bergey is the overall points leader with 52, including a team-leading 35 assists. The Gulls are averaging 13.2 goals/gm, while allowing opponents just 6.1/gm.  Starting defensemen Jon Cline and Mark Breier both earned first team all-CAC honors, as did starting goalie Pat Tewes, who ranks among the national leaders with a 5.88 goals against average. Senior long-pole midfielder Dave DiPaola was recognized as the CAC’s Player of the Year.

SSU 3-1 vs. Top 10 Teams in 2001
The Sea Gulls have won three of their four games against teams ranked in the top 10 in Division II or III this year.  Those include victories over Ohio Wesleyan, Bowdoin and Adelphi (ranked #2 in Div II), in addition to the loss to Gettysburg.  

The Salisbury-Washington Series
The Eastern Shore rivals are meeting for the 32nd time in a series that dates back to 1974.  Washington leads the series 18-13, although Salisbury has won eight of the last 11 encounters. The teams split a pair of games last year, with WC winning 15-10 during the regular season and Salisbury avenging that loss with a 21-9 victory in the NCAA Tournament. The Sea Gulls have won nine of the last 10 regular season meetings, including a memorable 16-15 overtime game the last time the teams played in Chestertown, in 1999. That was the first OT game in the history of the series.  

Scouting Washington
The Shoremen bring a 9-7 overall record into Saturday's game, including a 15-7 loss at Gettysburg in last Sunday’s Centennial Conference championship game. Due to the automatic qualification system in Division III, the Shoremen will not receive a bid to this year’s NCAA Tournament. WC has finished second in the conference for four straight years. Washington averages 12.7 gpg while allowing opponents 10.2 per game.  Craig Rentch leads the team with 42 goals, followed by Eric Kuehn with 37. Dan Meehan is the top assist man with 24.  

What’s Next
By virtue of winning the Capital Athletic Conference championship, the Sea Gulls have already clinched an automatic berth for the 14-team NCAA Tournament. SSU will be making its 13^th straight appearance in the tournament, the longest active streak among Division III teams. The full field will be announced on Sunday.

Back to Top

VARSITY CLUB CREATES MEN'S LACROSSE ENDOWMENT FUND
May 2, 2001

SALISBURY, MD – The Salisbury State University Varsity Club has announced the creation of an endowment fund to support the men’s lacrosse program. The endowment will be used in a number of areas, ranging from equipment needs to team travel, to supplement the program’s current budget.

“We are very appreciative of our initial contributors and are fortunate to have such individuals willing to assist our athletics program with some of our financial challenges,” said Dr. Michael Vienna, director of athletics. “The establishment of this endowment will give our men's lacrosse program an additional revenue source as well as provide the program with an initial financial base which we hope to improve upon.”

Due to the generosity of several contributors, including community business leaders Stu Barr, Bill Kenton and John Hall, as well as former Sea Gull all-American Dod Poe, the fund has already reached the $15,000 plateau.  The Varsity Club continues to accept contributions toward the fund’s $30,000 goal. 

“It’s extremely exciting to know that people care enough about lacrosse and Salisbury State University to help make this happen,” said Head Coach Jim Berkman. “This endowment will have everlasting benefits and will allow us to acquire and provide the extra things that make a program special. I think it also reflects an appreciation from the community for the efforts that our players have put forth over the years with clinics for area kids and involvement with youth lacrosse in the community.”

The Sea Gulls claimed their sixth straight Capital Athletic Conference championship last month and will be making their 13^th consecutive appearance in the NCAA Championship Tournament in 2001.  SSU has won three NCAA Division III national championships (1994, 1995, 1999) and finished as the winningest team during the 1990s with a 142-14 record.

The Gulls, 14-1 this year and ranked #4 in the nation, conclude the 2001 regular season on Saturday against Washington College in Chestertown, MD.  Pairings for the NCAA Tournament will be announced on Sunday.

Further information about contributing to the lacrosse endowment fund is available by contacting Varsity Club Coordinator Ralph Murray at 410-677-5069.  

Back to Top

BRANNAN, MEZZADRA NAMED SCHOLAR-ATHLETE AWARD WINNERS
April 30, 2001

SALISBURY, MD – Junior linebacker Pat Brannan and senior lacrosse all-American Jen Mezzadra are the winner’s of the 2001 Salisbury State Male and Female Scholar-Athlete Awards. Brannan and Mezzadra will be officially recognized at the University’s Honors Convocation on Friday, May 4.

Brannan, from Lutherville, MD/Loyola HS, is a three-year starter for the Sea Gull football team and earned all-conference and all-ECAC honors in 2000. Brannan led the Atlantic Central Football Conference in tackles with 105, while also recording nine tackles for loss and three QB sacks.  A business management major, he served as one of the tri-captains on the 2000 team which finished with a 5-5 record while also winning the annual Regents Cup Award.

Mezzadra, from Baltimore/Parkville HS, has been a record-setting scorer on the women’s lacrosse team who will finish her career as Salisbury’s all-time leader in goals and points. A two-time all-America, Mezzadra was also named the Capital Athletic Conference’s Player of the Year in 2001. Currently ranked third in the nation in scoring with 6.68 ppg, she also became the 16^th player in Division III history to reach the 300-point plateau. She is majoring in chemistry. 

Back to Top

SALISBURY CAPTURES THIRD STRAIGHT CAC ALL-SPORTS TROPHY
April 25, 2001

Salisbury State University claimed the Capital Athletic Conference's All-Sports Trophy for the third straight year, signifying the outstanding "total" athletics program in the CAC.  SSU won 10 of the conference's 18 championships and accumulated 236.8 points during the 2000-01 academic year to successfully defend its All-Sports title. Salisbury outdistanced second place Mary Washington by 31.2 points. The Eagles finished second to the Sea Gulls in the overall standings for the third straight year.

The Sea Gulls claimed championships in men's soccer, women's soccer, field hockey, volleyball, men's cross country, women's basketball, baseball, softball, men's lacrosse and women's lacrosse. SSU also finished as the conference runnerup in women's cross country, women's swimming, men's track & field, women's track & field, men's tennis and women's tennis. The conference sponsors championships in 18 sports during the year, with points awarded based on each school's finish in each championship.

"Winning the All-Sports Trophy for the third consecutive year is a great accomplishment for our athletics program," said Dr. Michael Vienna, SSU's director of athletics. "We finished first or second in 16 of 18 sports, which speaks very highly for the kind of year all our teams have enjoyed. The real credit for this award belongs to our coaching staff and to our student-athletes. The award is reflective of all the hard work and dedication that they put forth throughout the year." 

Final 2001 All-Sports Trophy Standings and Point Totals
1--Salisbury State.........236.8
2--Mary Washington….205.6
3--Catholic...................126.4
4--York........................122.4
5--St. Mary's............…..91.4
6--Goucher.....................87.5
7--Marymount................73.2
8--Gallaudet...................36.4  

Back to Top

SEA GULLS CLAIM FOUR CAC SPRING CHAMPIONSHIPS
April 23, 2001

The spring sports teams celebrated Championship Week in the Capital Athletic Conference by winning four CAC titles and placing second in four other sports to cap another outstanding season. All told, SSU won 10 of 18 conference sports championships during the 2000-01 year and retained the CAC’s All-Sports Trophy for the third straight year.

The baseball team won its second straight CAC Championship with a 4-2 win over host Mary Washington in the deciding game of the double-elimination format. Senior RHP Derek Harman worked eight strong innings to improve to 5-0 on the year. Senior 1B Brian Loy keyed a three-run rally in the fifth inning with a double and two RBI. Senior Andy Brown worked a hitless ninth inning to record his third save in relief.  SSU improves to 23-8 overall with eight regular season games remaining. The Gulls hope to receive an at-large invitation when pairing are announced for the NCAA Championship Tournament in May.

The women's lacrosse team successfully defended its CAC title with a 12-10 overtime win over Mary Washington in the championship game at home Sunday. Christine Sliger scored unassisted 14 seconds into the first 3:00 overtime period and senior Stephanie Bozick scored on an assist from Theresa Driscoll with 31 seconds left in the second extra period to seal the win.  Salisbury, 12-3 overall and ranked #9 nationally, closes the regular season at home this week against Washington (Md).  SSU also expects to receive an at-large invitation to the NCAA Tournament when pairings are announced on May 6.

The softball team claimed its fifth straight CAC Championship and sixth crown in seven years with wins over Mary Washington (4-0) and York (5-3) in Saturday's single-elimination championship tournament. SSU scored four times in the fifth inning of the championship game against York to rally from a 3-1 deficit. Senior Terri Amalfitano hurled a pair of complete games, including a five-hit shutout in the semifinal win over MWC, to improve to 19-2 on the season. Senior Meghan Henning paced the offense with two hits in each game. SSU, 29-7 overall and ranked #11 in the latest NFCA national poll, hosts Wesley on Thursday at 3:30 pm.

Freshman Cory O'Neil scored a career-high six goals to lead the #4 ranked men's lacrosse team to its seventh straight CAC Championship with a 16-4 win over Goucher at home Saturday.  The Sea Gulls (14-1) claimed the CAC's automatic bid for next month's NCAA Division III Championship Tournament, and will be making their 13th straight appearance in the event, the longest active streak in the nation. O'Neil scored the first three goals of the game and four of the first five as SSU built a 6-1 first quarter lead. The Gulls are idle until May 5, when they close the regular season at Washington.

The men’s and women’s tennis teams both placed second in their championships. The men’s team did claim two individual awards however as freshman Nic Peel was named CAC Rookie of the Year and Randy Halfpap was recognized as the men’s coach of the year.

The men’s and women’s track teams also finished second in their championships. Four women and three men won individual event championships, and 30 men and women earned all-conference honors with first or second place finishes.  

Back to Top

TRACK TEAMS READY FOR CAC CHAMPIONSHIP MEET
April 19, 2001

FREDERICKSBURG, VA – The Salisbury State men and women’s track and field teams head to Fredericksburg, VA, for the Capital Athletic Conference Championship meet this Saturday, April 21.  They will compete against five other schools in more than 20 events.  In last year’s CAC meet, the SSU women’s team captured a second place finish, while the men finished third.

“I expect many of our athletes to do very well this weekend,” said second year Head Coach Jim Jones.  “A couple of them are defending champions and have a good chance of winning their events again.”

Top contenders among the men are sophomore Jeremy Beall (800-meter) and senior Larry O’Hara (1,500-meter).  Both athletes are strong finishers and have a good chance of winning their events.  Freshman Justin Johnson will be competing in the 400-meter intermediate hurdles and 110-meter high hurdles and is expected to place among the leaders in both events.

Sophomore Beau Ridgway (shot put), senior Steve Lee (hammer), and freshman Mike Wilson (javelin) are all top contenders in their field events. Ridgway is the defending champion in the shot put.  Seniors Aubrey Harrison (long jump) and Bernard Smith (100 & 200-meter) are also expected to make contributions and should score in their events.

Among the top contenders for the women are sophomores Kristin Camp (800-meter), Scottie Morris (3000 & 5000-meter), Jessica Shaffer (3000-meter), and freshman Rebecca Lyons (3000-meter).  All four are strong runners and are expected to place high in their events.

Other Sea Gull contenders are junior Amy Jacobs, defending champion in the pole vault, freshman Leslie Donnelly (javelin), junior Kelly Knutson (100-meter hurdles), and senior Christy Prestileo (100-meter high hurdles).  Knutson and Prestileo earned all-conference honors last year and have a strong chance to place among the top finishers again this year.

“One of our top competitors this year is Mary Washington,” said Jones.  “I believe we will compete closely with them.  I expect our athletes to place in many events, while many have a good chance of winning.  We have worked hard this year and are hoping for a good finish.”  

CAC TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS ALSO SLATED FOR THIS WEEKEND

The Sea Gull men’s and women’s tennis teams conclude their seasons with this weekend’s Capital Athletic Conference Championships, also in Fredericksburg, VA.  The Sea Gull men finished 9-7 during the regular season, while the women posted a 7-4 overall mark.

Both Sea Gull teams placed second in last year’s championship. The SSU men had won the conference title four straight years (1996-99) before placing second to Mary Washington last year. The Sea Gull women have been the conference runner-up in each of the past five seasons.  

Back to Top

SALISBURY WELL REPRESENTED IN NATIONAL STATISTICS
April 17, 2001

Men’s Lacrosse, Women’s Lacrosse and Baseball Among NCAA Leaders

SALISBURY, MD – Several Salisbury State spring squads are represented among the latest national statistics compiled by the NCAA office.

The Sea Gull women’s lacrosse team is ranked third in the nation in scoring offense through games of April 8 with an average of 17.08 goals per game. SSU is also sixth in scoring margin at +9.00 goals per game.

Individually, junior Christine Sliger is second in the nation in scoring with 7.42 points per game, while senior Jen Mezzadra is fourth with 6.92 ppg. Sliger is also second in assists with 4.75/game, while Mezzadra ranks third in goals with 5.00/game.

The men’s lacrosse team is ranked fourth in scoring defense through games of April 8 with an average of 5.83 goals allowed per game. Salisbury also has the top-ranked man-down defense at .880, with 66 stops in 75 attempts.  The Sea Gulls are eighth in scoring margin at +7.25 goals per game.

Individually, senior goalie Pat Tewes ranks third in the nation with a 5.76 goals against average.

  In baseball, Salisbury State leads the nation in team fielding average through games of April 8 at .972.  The Sea Gulls are also 12^th in pitching with a team earned run average of 3.09.

Individually, junior Jason Ewing is 17^th in steals per game with 0.80. he has 16 thefts through 20 games played.

The latest statistical rankings for all sports can be accessed on the NCAA’s web site at www.ncaa.org.  

Back to Top

SALISBURY - GETTYSBURG MEN'S LACROSSE PREVIEW
Mar. 29, 2001

Salisbury State (9-0) vs. Gettysburg (6-1)
Saturday, March 31 -- 1 p.m. 
Sea Gull Stadium, Salisbury, MD

The Rankings – SSU is ranked third in this week’s USILA poll. Gettysburg is #4 this week. This is the fifth straight year that both teams have been ranked in the top 10 when they meet.

The Series -- The teams are meeting for the 13th time overall and 10th straight season. Salisbury holds a 10-2 advantage in the series.

Last Year – Senior midfielder Chris Turner tallied four goals and two assists to lead #1 Salisbury to a 14-3 win at #2 Gettysburg.  The Sea Gulls built leads of 7-1 at halftime and 9-3 after three quarters, then sealed the victory with a 5-0 fourth quarter.  That match-up was the third time the teams have met as the #1 and #2 ranked teams. SSU, the higher ranked team in each of those encounters, has won all three games.

SSU This Year -- The Sea Gulls have not played since March 22, when they completed their two-game Florida trip with a 14-6 win over #10 Bowdoin. Saturday’s game is the fifth straight for SSU against a ranked foe. The Sea Gulls are 4-0 in one-goal games, including a 12-11 win over #16 Williams in Port Richey, FL last week.  Junior midfielder Josh Bergey is the team’s overall points leader, with 31, and tops the club with 22 assists. Freshman attackman Andy Arnold and junior attackman Steve Brianas share the team’s scoring lead with 23 goals each. The Sea Gulls are averaging 14.0 goals per game and allowing just 5.1/game. The defense has been especially stingy during man-down situations, having allowed just four goals in 54 chances (93%). Senior goalie Pat Tewes leads the Capital Athletic Conference with a 5.02 goals against average.

SSU Against the Best -- The Sea Gulls are 2-0 against top 10 teams this season (Ohio Wesleyan and Bowdoin) and 15-3 against the top 10 since the beginning of the 1999 season. 

Gettysburg Preview -- The Bullets, coached by former SSU head coach Hank Janczyk, posted their fourth straight win with a 10-7 victory over Franklin & Marshall in a Centennial Conference game on Wednesday.  Gettysburg also owns wins against Ohio Wesleyan, Denison, and Cortland State during the streak. The Bullets’ only loss came on March 10 against top-ranked Washington & Lee by an 8-7 count.  Jake Van Nostrand is the team’s leading scorer with 11 goals and 21 points. Tommy Pearce is second with 20 points (10g-10a). Ric Bremer leads the team with 15 goals and ranks fourth with 17 points.  The Bullets are averaging 10.0 goals per game while allowing 5.3 gpg.

What's Ahead for the Gulls -- Salisbury follows Saturday’s game with visits to #17 Marymount on April 3 and Division II Adelphi on April 7. SSU’s next home game is April 14 against Whittier (CA).   

Back to Top

SEA GULL NOTEBOOK
Mar. 27, 2001
News and Notes about SSU Athletics  

Four Ranked Teams Highlight Spring Start
A strong start for the spring sports teams finds four Sea Gull squads ranked nationally.  The men=s lacrosse team is in its usual spot at or near the top of the rankings. The Gulls are ranked third in the USILA poll with a 9-0 record.  The women=s lacrosse team is ranked 11th in the IWLCA poll and carries a 5-3 record into Thursday=s non-conference game at Rowan. The baseball team, 11-2-1 overall, is ranked 11th in the ABCA national poll and second in the South Region. The softball team is 18th in the NFCA coaches poll.   

Harned Named CAC Softball Player of the Week
Senior C/OF April Harned (Denton, MD/North Caroline HS) is this week’s Capital Athletic Conference player of the week after leading the Sea Gulls to a 5-1 record and first place finish in the Fastpitch Classic in Roanoke, VA. Harned finished with 13 hits in 19 at-bats in the six games, with two HRs and 10 RBI.  She is hitting .463 on the season, with five HRs and 31 RBI in 24 games. Harned’s tournament showing also moved her into first place on SSU’s all-time RBI list with 154.

Sliger Ties Women’s Lacrosse Assist Record
Junior Christine Sliger (Whiteford, MD/N. Harford HS) needed just eight games to tie the team’s single-season assist record of 37, set last year by Amanda Moculski.  Sliger registered three assists in Saturday’s 18-13 win over Goucher to tie the record. She has also climbed to second on the career assist list with 65. Moculski is the all-time leader with 76.  Sliger also set a new single-game record with 10 assists in SSU’s victory over Alfred on March 9. All three losses this season have been by the same 9-7 score, including home setbacks against #1 New Jersey and #2 Amherst.  

Baseball Scores 35 Runs in Final Two Florida Games
The Sea Gulls raised their conference-leading scoring average to 10.8 runs per game following back-to-back outings of 24 and 11 runs to close out their four-game trip to Fort Myers, FL. SSU had 22 hits in its 24-7 win over Hampden-Sydney, then had three pitchers combine on the team’s second shutout of the year, 11-0 over Fredonia State. SSU sports a team batting average of .342 through 14 games, complemented by a conference-leading 3.16 ERA.  

Awards Continue for All-America Fenske
Junior field hockey all-America goalie Joanna Fenske continues to collect honors following a stellar season in which she helped lead the Gulls to the national semifinals.  Fenske has been named to the Verizon Academic All-District team for fall and winter sports athletes. Fenske earned the recognition based on her 3.74 cumulative grade point average as an art major.

Back to Top

SEA GULLS WIN VWC SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT
Mar. 10, 2001

Sea Gulls Finish 6-0 in Two-day Event; Outscore Opponents 71-4
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA - The Salisbury State softball team claimed the championship of the Virginia Wesleyan Tournament on Saturday by finishing 6-0 in the two-day event. The Sea Gulls outscored their opponents 71-4 in the six games, with five shutouts.

Senior 1B Meghan Henning was named tournament MVP after collecting 10 hits and 10 RBI in the tournament. Senior pitcher Stacy Slater registered three shutout wins, with a two-hitter and a pair of three-hitters.

Salisbury, 9-1 overall, returns to action on Tuesday with a non-conference doubleheader at Christopher Newport

Game Scores 

Salisbury 11, Juniata 0  (5 innings)
Meghan Henning, Erin Gross 3 RBI each
Terri Amalfitano shutout with six strikeouts  

Salisbury 13, Randolph-Macon 0 (5 innings)
April Harned 3 doubles & 4 RBI; Katie Mullinix 2 RBI
Stacy Slater 3-hit shutout  

Salisbury 20, Chowan 0  (5 innings)
Henning 3-run HR, 4 RBI; Kate Garland 3 RBI
Amalfitano shutout with seven strikeouts  

Salisbury 10, Emory & Henry 0  (5 innings)
Gross 3-3 with two doubles; Henning 2 RBI
Slater 2-hit shutout  

Salisbury 9, Rowan 4
SSU 6-run 3rd inning

Salisbury 8, Virginia Wesleyan 0  (6 innings)
Katie Mullinix 2-run HR; Lisa Gentilella 3 RBI
Slater 3-hit shuout

Back to Top

MEN'S LACROSSE FACES FIRST TOP 10 TEST
Mar. 5, 2001

Salisbury State (5-0) vs. Ohio Wesleyan (0-0)
Men's Lacrosse Preview
Saturday, March 10 -- 1 p.m. -- Sea Gull Stadium

The Rankings -- SSU, ranked second in the Division III preseason polls, dropped one spot to third in the first USILA/STX regular season poll, released earlier this week. Ohio Wesleyan is ranked 10th. This is the eighth straight year that both teams have been ranked in the top 10 when they meet.  The Sea Gulls have been ranked either first, second or third at the time of their OWU game in each of those seasons.

The Series -- The teams are meeting for the 21st time, with Salisbury holding a 15-5 advantage in the series.

Last Year -- Salisbury prevailed 11-8 at home as all-America midfielders Tim Parks and Chris Turner scored three goals apiece. The game was tied four times, including 5-5 at halftime and 7-7 late in the third quarter.

Streaks -- Salisbury State brings a current five-game winning streak into Saturday’s game. All five victories have come against Capital Athletic Conference opponents.  SSU has won two straight over Ohio Wesleyan, while the Bishops had won two straight in the series (1997, 1998) prior to SSU's victory in 1999. Salisbury won five straight over OWU between 1991 and 1996.  Ohio Wesleyan's  13-10 win in 1997 ended Salisbury's NCAA record 65-game regular season winning streak.

SSU This Year -- The Sea Gulls have outscored their first five opponents 85-16 while extending their all-time conference winning streak to 35 straight. The defense has been dominating thus far, with first half shutouts in three of the five games. The Gulls have outshot their five opponents by a combined 233-72 total. Junior midfielder Josh Bergey leads the team in assists (15) and points (19). Junior transfer Steve Brianas is the top goal scorer (15) and second in points (16). Freshman Andy Arnold has 13 goals. Goalie Pat Tewes has started all five games and has a .684 save percentage.

SSU Against the Best -- The Gulls are 13-3 during the past two seasons against teams ranked in the top 10. 

OWU Preview -- The Battling Bishops are playing their season-opener on Saturday. Second-year Head Coach Sean Ryan has six starters back from last year’s 14-4 squad which was co-champion of the North Coast Athletic Conference and advanced to the quarterfinal round of the NCAA Tournament. Five of the top eight scorers also return from a team that set a new OWU scoring record with 314 goals last year. Ohio Wesleyan will follow its Salisbury contest with games against Greensboro and Hampden-Sydney during its three-game spring trip.

What's Ahead -- Saturday's game is the first of five straight for the Sea Gulls against ranked opponents. Salisbury hosts #6 Denison on Wednesday, then faces #15 Williams and #11 Bowdoin in Florida before returning north to host #4 Gettysburg on March 31.  

Back to Top

MITCHELL SWIMS AT NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP MEET THIS WEEK
Mar. 5, 2001

Sea Gull Senior Will Compete in Three Events
SALISBURY, MD – Salisbury State senior Rebecca Mitchell (Allen, MD/James M. Bennett HS) will compete in three events at this week’s NCAA Division III Swimming Championship Meet, becoming the first Sea Gull to qualify for the national finals since 1998.  Mitchell will compete in the 100, 200 and 500-yard freestyle events, beginning Thursday, March 8 at the Flickinger Aquatics Center in Buffalo, NY.

“This is very exciting for Rebecca to be invited as a senior,” said SSU Head Coach Jill Stephenson. “Swimming in the national championship meet is a great experience and proves that all of Rebecca’s hard work for four years has paid off.”

Mitchell qualified for the NCAA Championship with a school-record time of 1:55.75 in the 200-freestyle during last month’s CAC Championship Meet.  Mitchell’s time was the 22^nd fastest nationally in the event this year.  Mitchell did not meet the specific qualifying times in the 100 and 500 freestyles, but has the option of swimming in those events by virtue of qualifying in the 200-free. Mitchell owns the SSU record for the 500-freestyle with a time of 5:11.15, set last year.

Mitchell begins competition on Thursday in the 500-freestyle. The 200-freestyle follows on Friday, with the 100-freestyle event on Saturday.  In each event, the preliminary heats are in the morning, with the finals scheduled in the evening.  The top eight finishers in each event earn all-America status, with finishers 9-16 earning honorable mention AA honors.

“The toughest thing for Rebecca during the past few weeks has been training on her own,” said Stephenson. “Her results at the championship meet may depend on the level of competition in her preliminary heats.”

The NCAA Championship Meet will cap an outstanding senior campaign for Mitchell, who was named the CAC’s Swimmer of the Year after winning the conference title in both the 200 and 500 freestyles.  She also earned a third CAC title by swimming on Salisbury’s first place 200-medley relay team.  

Back to Top