NEW PALTZ, N.Y. - Nationally fifth-ranked Salisbury broke open a tight game with three goals in the third quarter and the top-seeded Sea Gulls defeated third-seeded Cortland, 7-1, in the championship game of the SUNYAC Field Hockey Tournament, hosted by New Paltz.
 
Salisbury, a new affiliate member of the SUNYAC for field hockey this fall, improved to 17-2 and earned the conference's NCAA Division III tournament automatic berth. Cortland is the first SUNYAC opponent to score a goal on the Sea Gulls this season. The Red Dragons close the season with an 8-11 record and were making their eighth straight SUNYAC tournament championship game appearance.
 
For Cortland, junior Tori Peterson (Whitney Point), freshman Kaylee Hughen (Lake Hopatcong, NJ/Boonton) and freshman Lillian Morse (Burnt Hills/Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake) were named to the all-tournament team. Peterson scored Cortland's goal - an unassisted tally 6:41 into the game that tied the score at 1-1. Hughen scored Cortland's game-winning overtime goal on Friday in a 2-1 win over New Paltz in the semifinals.
 
Senior Emma Morgan (Whitney Point) made 16 saves in 47:22 of action. Junior Sofia Cannistraci (Guilderland) stopped two shots and allowed two goals over the final 12:38. Salisbury outshot Cortland, 37-4, and earned 17 penalty corners to Cortland's three.
 
Tournament MVP Marli McDorman led Salisbury with three goals and an assist. McKenna Horner and Morgan Bradford each had a goal and an assist, and Alex Kupper and Emma Abromavage scored once apiece. Madelyn Reed assisted on two goals and Caroline Pusey picked up one assist. Horner, Reed and Kaitlyn DeModna joined McDorman as Salisbury all-tournament selections.