Salisbury completed a perfect season and collected its second straight NCAA Division III Field Hockey Championship with a 6-3 win over Middlebury November 20 at Westfield State.

This is the second straight year that Salisbury and Middlebury have battled for the national title. With the victory, the Sea Gulls finished 22-0 and extended their winning streak to 33 games, from October 14, 2003. It is the second time Salisbury has turned in an undefeated season. The Sea Gulls went 21-0 to capture the 1986 national title.

The defending national champions took control early and never trailed. Abby Rowe opened the scoring for the Sea Gulls, connecting on an assist from Danielle Twilley at 10:10. Less than two minutes later, Twilley passed to Melissa Webster, who rifled a shot that deflected off a Middlebury defender and into the net to increase the Sea Gulls' lead.

Junior Brittany Elliott contributed Salisbury's third score of the first half when she redirected a pass from Erin Budd.

Late in the first half, Middlebury sliced into the lead when senior Ashley Pullen tipped a shot from Allison Smith past Salisbury goalie Maria Ramoundos. But Salisbury answered just over a minute later when Budd scored on a pass from Webster.

Salisbury extended the lead to 5-1 with 18:57 remaining in the contest when Megan Powell successfully rebounded her shot after Middlebury goalkeeper Meghan McGillen saved the initial attempt.

The Panthers tallied two quick goals late in the second half to pull to within 5-3 with about 10 minutes left in regulation, but Powell's second goal of the game with 4:31 remaining iced the Sea Gulls' third national championship.

The nine goals scored in the game ties a Division III record set by College of New Jersey and Rowan November 7, 1986, and tied by Skidmore and Wellesley November 16, 2002.

The Sea Gulls advanced to the championship game by defeating William Smith, 2-1, in the semifinals. Middlebury (18-2) won its semifinal game, 3-0, over Messiah.

Salisbury's Budd, Elliott, Powell and Webster were named to the all-tournament team along with Smith, Ashley Lyddane and Janie Mackey of Middlebury; Danae Chambers and Ashley Lobach of Messiah; and William Smith's Elizabeth Saucier and Susan Jordan.

Semifinals

First half: WS -- Margaret Dolan (Elizabeth Saucier), 5:21.

Second half: S -- Megan Powell (unassisted), 36:56.

Overtime: S -- Erin Budd (penalty shot), 78:41.

Shots: William Smith 9, Salisbury 28. Goalkeeper saves: William Smith (Susan Jordan) 15, Salisbury (Maria Ramoundos) 8. Penalty corners: William Smith 7, Salisbury 22.

First half: Mid -- Ashley Lyddane (Allison Smith), 33:56.

Second half: Mid -- Nina Daugherty (Lyddane), 49:48; Mid -- Lyddane (unassisted).

Shots: Middlebury 11, Messiah 22. Goalkeeper saves: Middlebury (Meghan McGillen) 13, Messiah (Erica Nelson) 5. Penalty corners: Middlebury 10, Messiah 27.

Championship game

First half: S -- Abby Rowe (Danielle Twilley), 10:10; S -- Melissa Webster (Twilley), 11:05; S -- Brittany Elliott (Erin Budd), 17:00; M -- Ashley Pullen (Allison Smith), 19:36; S -- Budd (Webster), 20:43.

Second half: S -- Megan Powell (unassisted), 51:03; M -- Reid Berrien (Nina Daugherty), 55:17; M -- Claire Edelen (unassisted), 59:14; S -- Powell (unassisted).

Shots: Middlebury 12, Salisbury 16. Goalkeeper saves: Middlebury (Meghan McGillen) 5, Salisbury (Maria Ramoundos) 9. Penalty corners: Middlebury 8, Salisbury 4.