Salisbury became the first school to register three consecutive crowns in the history of the championship. It also was the Sea Gulls' 12th straight NCAA tournament victory.

In the defensive tussle, Salisbury goalie Maria Ramoundos made the difference. Ramoundos tallied seven saves in a contest in which the Sea Gulls were outshot, 17-12. Messiah also had a 12-6 advantage in penalty corners.

Sarah Tracey broke the scoreless tie for Salisbury in the second half. The junior defender scored on a penalty corner at 40:09 with an assist from forward Brittany Elliott. In addition to notching the game's only goal, Tracey contributed to the defensive effort with a number of saves and clears that helped the Sea Gulls secure a victory.

Salisbury head coach Dawn Chamberlin said her team's play was much stronger in the second half than in the first.

"We started dictating what was happening on the field. We were playing some really good defense and just wouldn't give up any goals. It was just a great defensive effort," she said.

Salisbury, which finished the year with a 21-1 record, advanced to the title game after a 3-2 win over Ursinus in the semifinals. Messiah downed Bowdoin, 2-1, in its semifinal game. Messiah ended the season with a 20-3 record.

The all-tournament team included Salisbury's Tracey and Ramoundos, Kim McLeod, and Megan Powell. Rachel Allison, Ashley Lobach and Lindsay Hunter represented Messiah, while Kait Sutherland and Karen Wendler of Ursinus and Taryn King and Christi Gannon of Bowdoin also made the team.

Semifinals

First half: S -- Megan Powell (unassisted), 32:11.

Second half: S -- Danielle Twilley (Sarah Tracey), 39:55; U -- Karen Wendler (Kait Sutherland), 41:58; U -- Wendler (Sutherland), 55:46; S -- Ashley Twigg (unassisted), 56:34.

Shots: Salisbury 12, Ursinus 21. Goalkeeper saves: Salisbury (Maria Ramoundos) 13, Ursinus (Jess Lamina) 5.

First half: B -- Margaret Gormley (Taryn King), 8:35; M -- Amber Fulginiti (unassisted), 20:30.

Second half: M -- Jenna Schwind (Ashley Lobach), 40:56.

Shots: Messiah 21, Bowdoin 11. Goalkeeper saves: Messiah (Renee Herbster) 6, Bowdoin (Kate Leonard) 11. Penalty corners: Messiah 12, Bowdoin 9.

Championship game

Second half: S -- Sarah Tracey (Brittany Elliott), 40:09.

Shots: Salisbury 12, Messiah 17. Goalkeeper saves: Salisbury (Maria Ramoundos) 7, Messiah (Renee Herbster) 2. Penalty corners: Salisbury 6, Messiah 12 .