CHANDLER, Ariz. - The Salisbury University field hockey team continues to be recognized as one of the top teams in the nation, as the Sea Gulls were ranked No. 2 for the seventh consecutive week in this week's Kookaburra/NFHCA (National Field Hockey Coaches Association) Division III poll, released Tuesday.

Salisbury (13-1, 6-0 Capital Athletic Conference) received 923 points in the poll, just shy of No. 1 ranked Messiah College's 995 points. Ursinus College (876 points), Trinity (Conn.) College (844 points) and Tufts University (752 points) rounded out the top five teams.

The Gulls have played two games in the past week, winning both of them decidedly. Their first contest of the week, against CAC foe Stevenson University, resulted in a 5-0 Sea Gull victory; on Oct. 25, the maroon and gold notched their ninth shut-out of the season as they defeated CAC rival Mary Washington, 3-0.

Excellence is a common theme for the Sea Gulls; not only are they ranked nationally as a team, but two individuals on the squad are among the elite in Division III field hockey. Sophomore goalie Anna Cooke (Ann Arbor, Mich.) currently holds the No. 1 spot in the nation with a goals against average (GAA) of 0.61. Senior forward Lauren Correll (Bridgeville, Del.) is ranked No. 2 in the nation in points per game (PPG), averaging 3.25 goals per contest. (Individual national rankings are up to date through Oct. 18, 2009.)

Salisbury will play its last regular-season game on the road, against Catholic University, on Oct. 29. Game time is set for 3:30 p.m. The Sea Gulls' perfect CAC record earned them the top spot in the CAC tournament, along with a first-round bye. They will play in the semifinal round of the CAC tournament on Nov. 4.