Since at least 1998, Salisbury had never lost more than one overtime game in a single season. So enduring back-to-back 9-8 overtime losses to Ohio Wesleyan on March 8 and Stevenson on March 25 was uncharted territory for the 10-time NCAA Division III champion.
The No. 11 Sea Gulls (11-4 overall and 7-0 in the Capital Athletic Conference) avoided a third OT loss on Saturday. Sophomore attackman Nathan Blondino converted a pass from junior midfielder Thomas Cirillo just 49 seconds into the extra session to propel the Se Gulls to an 8-7 win at No. 17 Frostburg State (14-1, 5-1).
"Obviously, after you lose two overtime games and in both games, you had the earliest opportunity to win and you didn't get it done, I think there was a little sign of relief and excitement that we got the third one," Salisbury coach Jim Berkman said Monday morning. "To have three go against you can be very tough emotionally."
The win means that Salisbury can cement the top seed and homefield advantage in the league tournament with a victory over visiting York (9-6, 5-1) on Wednesday night. The Spartans could overtake the Sea Gulls for both honors with victories Wednesday and Saturday at Christopher Newport (9-4, 4-2).
Berkman said guaranteeing that Salisbury can make a run through the CAC tournament on its home turf will be a huge motivation for the team.
"Not jumping on a bus and driving five hours to Frostburg or 3½ hours to York is advantageous," he said. "Playing in Sea Gull Stadium is always a pretty good advantage considering our history and track record of support that we get there. As of recently, we've played extremely well at Sea Gull Stadium over the course of the last seven or eight games."