SALISBURY, Md. – November 11, 2007 - The Springfield College field hockey team's season came to a close on Sunday afternoon as it fell to Salisbury, 2-1, in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Division III Field Hockey Championship. The No. 2 Salisbury University field hockey team advanced to the program's fifth national semifinal game in the past six years.

Salisbury (20-1) held off a late rally attempt by the Pride (21-4) who was awarded a penalty corner in the final seconds of the game. The maroon and gold held a 1-0 advantage after the first 35 minutes of the game as senior Jami Gobao scored in the closing seconds of the first half to give SU the lead.

Springfield answered quickly in the second half as Brittany Veazie (Dexter, Maine)notched her 23rd goal of the season on an unassisted strike to tie the score at 1-1 in the 40th minute. The goal came off of Springfield's first penalty corner of the game. This was only the fourth time SU trailed or was tied in the second half this season.

Senior Danielle Twilley provided the game-winner in the 60th minute as freshman Kandice Hancock found her at the top of the circle.

The Sea Gull defense stood strong over the final 10 minutes to preserve the win.

The Sea Gulls outshot the Pride 10-0 in the first half and held an 18-8 advantage for the game. The maroon and gold had four penalty corners in the first half and 12 for the game while Springfield managed seven penalty corners, all in the second half.

Senior goalie Maria Ramoundos made four saves in the win to improve her record to 20-0 on the year. Emma Kaplan (Ridgefield, Conn.) made nine saves in the loss.

This is the third time SU has entered the national semifinals with one loss. The two other times (2003 and 2005) the Sea Gulls claimed the NCAA Division III national title.

The Pride tied a program record for wins in a season with 21 and finished the year with a 21-4 record.

published: 11/12/2007