March 29, 2008

Box Score

SALISBURY, Md. - In a rematch of the 2007 National Championship game and a battle of the top-ranked women's lacrosse teams in Division III, No.2 Salisbury came out blazing and finished strong to upset No. 1 Franklin & Marshall 9-7 in non-conference action on Saturday.

The Sea Gulls (13-0) jumped out to a quick 6-1 lead to start the first half, before being held scoreless for over 28 minutes and then ending the game on a 3-0 run to remain undefeated on the season while snapping the Diplomats' (7-1) 28-game winning streak.

Jess Chmielewski tallied a team-best two goals and one assist, while Sue Ackerman and Kim Cudmore each netted a pair of goals for Salisbury. Sonja Stuart made 12 saves on the afternoon, including three stops on free-position attempts in the second half.

Sarah Meisenberg led the attack with a game-high six points, recording three goals and three assists. Jen Pritchard also added a hat trick and Lidia Sanza made eight saves.

Heading into the contest scoring 20.2 goals per game, the Sea Gulls were held to just nine goals but that was all they needed to collect their 13th straight win.

Chmielewski helped set the pace in the opening six minutes, scoring consecutive goals for a 2-0 lead. Pritchard put F&M on the board with just one of the two good 8-meter shots at the 20:15 mark to make it 2-1.

Four different players scored in Salisbury's 4-0 run over the next 6:41 to take a commanding 6-1 lead, however, the Diplomats fought back and scored six unanswered goals to take their first lead at 7-6.

Blake Hargest began the run, netting her 17th goal of the season off a pass from Meisenberg. With 7:14 left in the first half, Meisenberg sandwiched two goals between a Pritchard tally to go along with another assist to make it 6-5 at intermission.

Meisenberg completed her hat trick after the break, scoring an unassisted marker at 20:39 and then turned around to find Pritchard to help F&M take a 7-6 lead.

That edge lasted only 18 seconds with Robyn Bishop converting a free-position shot for the Sea Gulls to knot the game at 7-all. Salisbury found the net two more times in the final 16:29 thanks to Cudmore and Ackermann for a 9-7 margin.

The Diplomats held a 27-26 edge in shots and a 12-6 advantage in ground balls, while the Sea Gulls won the draw-control battle (13-5). . F&M returns to action on Wednesday against Muhlenberg. Game time is 4:30 p.m.