Maroons End 2011 Season With A 17-4 Record

SALISBURY, Md. --- Top-ranked Salisbury University scored four goals in the first period and never looked back as the Seagulls defeated Roanoke College, 16-7, in the NCAA Division III Semifinals at Sea Gull Stadium Sunday afternoon.

The Maroons, ranked seventh in the USILA Top-20 poll, completed its third-straight season with at least 17 wins, an undefeated conference record (7-0 ODAC) and an NCAA Tournament appearance. RC earned an automatic bid after claiming a second-consecutive ODAC Tournament Championship against Lynchburg, 12-10.

After 10 minutes of scoreless play, the Sea Gulls tallied the game's first two goals to take a 2-0 lead with four-minutes remaining in the opening period.  After gaining possession nearly a minute later, Roanoke called a time-out with 2:06 left in the quarter. During the time-out, officials flagged a member of the Maroons for an illegal stick, handing SU a three-minute man-up advantage.

Salisbury's next four of five goals were man-up and took a 7-0 lead with 13:02 remaining. Matt Cannone scored his second goal of the contest a minute later to take a commanding 8-0 lead.

Jeff Keating stopped the bleeding with a goal around the crease with 10:14 left in the second quarter and Justin Tuma had a rebound shot that found twine to cut it to, 9-2.

After Roanoke saw its deficit increase to 11 in the third period, Richard Lachlan sparked a four-goal run with two of his own over a seven-minute span to cut it to, 13-6, with 3:35 left in the period.

But Salisbury owned the fourth quarter, scoring three of the final four goals and maintained possession for most of the final 15 minutes of play en route to the nine-goal victory.

Keating and Lachlan led Roanoke with two goals each.  Justin Tuma finished with one goal and an assist in addition to eight groundballs.

Roanoke goalkeeper Charles Pease finished with seven saves in nearly 54 minutes of action, while Mike Hardon stopped one shot in six minutes of action. 

Cannone led the way in the contest for Salisbury with a game-high six points on three goals and three assists. Krum, who had four goals and Mendes (3 g, 1a) finished with four points apiece, while Quist (2 g, 1a) followed shortly behind with three points.

This release was taken from the Roanoke College sports information department.