SALISBURY, Md. - It didn't take long for the
No. 2 Salisbury University field hockey team to make a statement in
the 2007 NCAA Division III tournament as the Sea Gulls scored the
first goal less than a minute into their second round game with No.
15 Tufts University. Salisbury (19-1) built off that momentum and
scored its second goal 18 minutes later which sealed the 2-0
victory Saturday before a crowd of 226 at Sea Gull Stadium.
The Sea Gulls advance to their 17th quarterfinal round in
program history where the maroon and gold will host No. 14
Springfield College (21-3). The Pride upset No. 6 Christopher
Newport University 2-1 in overtime in the other second round game
in the Salisbury regional. The third round game between Salisbury
and Springfield will take place Sunday, November 11 at 1 p.m. at
Sea Gull Stadium.
Capital Athletic Conference Player of the Year Danielle
Twilley got the Sea Gulls on the board with a rocket shot
off a penalty corner from Michelle Rowe at the top
of the circle 57 seconds into the game. The goal was Twilley's
third career NCAA tournament goal and first since the 2005
semifinal game against Ursinus College.
Salisbury sophomore Beverly Beladino returned
to the Sea Gull line-up after being sidelined for over two weeks
and scored her 16th goal of the season at the 19 minute mark.
Beladino's goal was assisted by a nice pass from senior
Ashley Twigg on a penalty corner opportunity to
put the maroon and gold up 2-0.
Tufts put the pressure on Salisbury in the second half as the
Jumbos unleashed 17 shots. SU senior goalie Maria
Ramoundos was up to the challenge as she made a
season-high for saves in a half with 10 en route to a new
season-high 11 saves. The Jumbos had 13 penalty corners in the
second half, 16 total for the game, compared to seven by the Sea
Gulls.
Salisbury only got off seven total shots in the game, five on
goal, as Tufts goalie Katie Hyder made three saves in the game.
Salisbury is making its 23rd NCAA tournament appearance in the
past 24 years where the Sea Gulls have won four national
championships, most recently in 2005. The Sea Gulls are led by
coach Dawn Chamberlin who is the third winningest coach in NCAA
Division III tournament history as she earned her 31st postseason
win today. SU has now won 18 straight games.
Salisbury now leads the series with Tufts, 2-0. The last time
these two teams met was in 1984 as the Sea Gulls won 1-0.
