Salisbury gears up for CAC fall tournaments, six championships on the line
Salisbury University is proud to have six teams participating in the Capital Athletic Conference championships this week and next. Of the six programs, four will be hosting CAC matches this weekend/week. The Sea Gulls have three programs that have garnered the top seed in the upcoming CAC tournament (field hockey, volleyball and women's soccer).
Here is a quick preview of each team:
CROSS COUNTRY
Championship Meet: November 1 @
Fredericksburg, Va.
Last Men's Championship: 2007
Men's Championships: 7 (1997, 2000, '02, '03,
'05, '06, '07)
Last Women's Championship: 2006
Women's Championships: 4 (1996, 2004, '05,
'06)
Preview: The Salisbury University men's and
women's cross country teams will travel to Fredericksburg, Va., for
this weekend's CAC Championship meet. The men are looking for their
fourth consecutive and eighth overall for the program. The Sea
Gulls will be facing stiff competition in Mary Washington and
York (Pa.). The Sea Gulls have defeated Mary Washington twice
already this season. Looking to lead the way for SU is senior
Zack Dickerson, junior Travis
Boccher, and sophomores Sam Boimov and
Chris Barnard. The women are looking to redeem
themselves and bring the title back to Salisbury for the fourth
time in the past five years. The Sea Gulls will have to get past
last year's champion, Mary Washington. Salisbury was defeated by
the Eagles by 13 points in the Don Cathcart Invitational on
September 27 but reversed the score beating Mary Washington by 13
at the Gettysburg Invitational on October 18. The women will be led
by seniors Amy DeMichele and Jenn
Bulger along with sophomores Masha
Berge and Kristin Stromberg.
FIELD HOCKEY
Record: 13-3 overall, 6-0 CAC
Tournament Dates: Semifinals (11/5) and
Championship (11/8)
Last CAC Championship won: 2007
Total CAC Championships: 13 (1995, '96, '97, '98,
'99, 2000, '01, '02, '03, '04, '05, '06, '07)
First Tournament Game: Hosts the winner of the
Stevenson/Wesley game on November 5.
Last time out vs. Stevenson/Wesley: The Sea Gulls
defeated Stevenson, 3-1, on October 28. The Sea Gulls defeated
Wesley, 5-0, on October 1.
Preview: The top-seed and No. 9 ranked Salisbury
University field hockey team begins the quest for its 14th
consecutive CAC championship this Wednesday, November 5. The Sea
Gulls will face the winner of the Stevenson/Wesley game on
November 5. If the four-time national champions win the semifinal
game they will host the CAC championship on November 8 at Sea Gull
Stadium. The maroon and gold are led by senior forward
Lauren Correll (16 goals, two assists) and
sophomore midfielder Kandice Hancock (six goals,
three assists).
MEN'S SOCCER
Record: 12-3-3 overall, 5-2-1 CAC
Tournament Dates: Quarterfinals (11/2), Semifinals
(11/5), Championship (11/8)
Last CAC Championship won: 2007
Total CAC Championships: 6 (1999, 2000, '02, '03,
'04, '07)
First Tournament Game: Hosts Marymount (Va.)
University on Sunday, November 2, at 1 p.m.
Last time out vs. Marymount: Salisbury 5,
Marymount 0 (October 22)
Preview: The third-seed Salisbury University men's
soccer team begins the quest for its second consecutive CAC
championship, seventh overall in the program history, when the Sea
Gulls square off with Marymount in the first round. SU
defeated Marymount ,5-0, last Wednesday at the SU Soccer Complex.
The top two seeds, York (Pa.) and Mary Washington, have both
received byes. York, ranked second in the nation, is the
favorite in the tournament. Salisbury will face Mary Washington on
the road if they are victorious in the opening round. The maroon
and gold are led by junior midfielder Kyle
Sterling (eight goals, five assists) and sophomore forward
Mike Napolitano (seven goals, six assists).
VOLLEYBALL
Record: 33-1 overall, 8-0 CAC
Tournament Dates: Semifinals (11/6) and
Championship (11/8)
Last CAC Championship won: 2007
Total CAC Championships: 4 (1998, 2000, '04,
'07)
First Tournament Game: Hosts the winner of the
Gallaudet/Mary Washington winner on November 6.
Last time out vs. Gallaudet/Mary Washington: The
Sea Gulls defeated Gallaudet, 3-0 (25-23, 25-20, 25-19) on October
29. SU also beat the Bison 3-0 on October 11 in the Green Terror
Invitational. Salisbury defeated Mary Washington, 3-0 (25-21,
25-11, 25-23) on September 10.
Preview: The Salisbury University volleyball team
goes into the CAC tournament as the top seed and defending
conference champions. SU receives a first round bye. The Sea Gulls
have won a nation's best 33 matches, which ranks
10th all-time in Division III history. SU is looking for
its second consecutive and fifth overall conference championship.
The Gulls will face the winner of the Gallaudet/Mary
Washington game on November 6. The Sea Gulls were victorious over
both opponents this season. Salisbury is led by senior outside
hitter Stacey Krebs (369 kills, 277 digs), junior
outside hitter Rachel Downes (287 kills, 293 digs)
and senior setter Jaime Marzocchi (996 assists).
WOMEN'S SOCCER
Record: 8-4-4 overall, 6-0-2 CAC
Tournament Dates: Semifinals (11/4) and
Championship (11/8)
Last CAC Championship won: 2006
Total CAC Championships: 3 (1994, 2000, '06)
First Tournament Game: Hosts the winner of Mary
Washington/York (Pa.) game on Tuesday, November 4.
Last time out vs. York/Mary Washington: Salisbury
defeated York (Pa.) 1-0 in double overtime on September 27. The Sea
Gulls tied Mary Washington 1-1 in double overtime on October 4.
Preview: The Salisbury University women's soccer
team is the top seed and will await the winner of the match
featuring last year's CAC champion York and Mary Washington. SU is
looking to avenge a loss in the championship game last season to
the Spartans and claim its fourth overall CAC championship. The Sea
Gulls last won the title in 2006. The CAC championship game,
scheduled for November 8, will be played at the SU Soccer Complex
if the Sea Gulls are victorious in the semifinal game. The maroon
and gold are led by freshman forward Sarah
Jessilonis (six goals), senior forward Dana
Passucci (four goals, two assists), and senior goalkeeper
Gena Goodson (0.64 goals against average).
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