SALISBURY, Md. - With a first-round bye in the upcoming Capital Athletic Conference tournament hanging in the balance Saturday at Salisbury, the Frostburg State women's soccer team rose to the challenge and defeated the Sea Gulls, 3-0.

The Bobcats (14-3, 6-2) opened the scoring in the 14th minute when their two leading scorers combined to give the team a 1-0 lead. Senior forward Lauren Russell (Waldorf, Md./Westlake) hit the post on a shot, and the ball deflected to sophomore forward Amanda Wharton (Mt. Airy, Md./South Carroll), whose one-touch shot gave her 26 goals on the season.

That was all the scoring in the first half, as junior goalkeeper Michelle Buckmaster (St. Leonard, Md./Calvert) made four saves to keep the Bobcats ahead at the intermission. Senior defender Heather Fleishell (Middletown, Md., Middletown) gave her goalkeeper some extra breathing room in the 47th minute. She used her signature scoring weapon - her head - in knocking home a Liz Seligman (Rockville, Md./St. Johns College) free kick to give Frostburg State a 2-0 advantage.

Promising freshman Adria Graham (Grantsville, Md./Northern Garrett) completed the scoring with her ninth goal of the season in the 71st minute. Buckmaster finished with seven saves in earning her fifth shutout of the season and third in a row. Fleishell's goal was her seventh of the season. All seven have been assisted by Seligman.

With its second place finish in the CAC, Frostburg State will host a semifinal match Nov. 2 against an opponent to be determined.