Tufts Falls at Salisbury in NCAA Field Hockey Tournament
Courtesy Tufts Sports Information
SALISBURY, Md. - The second ranked Salisbury University field hockey team (19-1) scored less than a minute into their NCAA Tournament second-round game with No. 15 Tufts University (13-5) on Saturday and built off that momentum to score its second goal 18 minutes later, which sealed a 2-0 victory on Saturday 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.
Tufts had an edge statistically in the game, especially in the second half, but was unable to turn that into goals. The Jumbos put the pressure on Salisbury in the second half as they 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 overall. The Jumbos had 13 penalty corners in the second half, 16 total for the game, compared to seven by the Sea Gulls. The advantage in shots was 20-7 Tufts.
Capital Athletic Conference Player of the Year Danielle Twilley got the Sea Gulls on the board against Tufts 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 Twilleys 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. Beladinos 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.
Salisbury only got off seven total shots in the game, five on goal, as Tufts goalie Katie Hyder (Winston-Salem, Mass.) made three saves in the game.
The loss ends perhaps the best season in Tufts field hockey history. Coach Tina McDavitt's team earned its first NCAA Tournament berth since 1998, scored a record 52 goals and tied the program mark for wins in a season.
