SALISBURY, Md. - The 18th-ranked Stevenson women's lacrosse team led 7-0 at the end of the first half, but top-ranked and two-time defending National Champion Salisbury was able to tie the game late and come away with a 10-9 victory in triple overtime Tuesday afternoon at Sea Gull Stadium.

The Mustangs (0-2) fall to 0-22 versus Salisbury all-time. The Sea Gulls, who won their 42nd-straight home game, have lost just three games in 108 tries at Sea Gull Stadium dating back to the start of the 2007 season.

Stevenson started out strong, connecting on its first three shots, scoring three times in the opening 10 minutes. The Mustangs defense was also strong, holding the Sea Gulls (1-0) to just eight shots in the opening half, with just four on frame.

Leading 3-0, senior Kathryn Merrick won the ensuing draw control and was fouled before finding Wagner on the restart downfield to beat the goalkeeper one-on-one for her third goal of the day. Wagner led five different goal scorers for the Mustangs in the first half who scored seven goals on eight shots.

Senior Leanne Bittner made her fourth save of the first half on a free position shot with three seconds remaining to keep the Sea Gulls off the board.

It is the first time the Mustangs have held an opponent scoreless in the first half since April 23, 2013 versus Hood. It is also the first time Salisbury was held without a first half goal since May 20, 2012 in the National Championship game versus Trinity (Conn.).

Bethany Baer, a two-time First Team All-American, started the second half with two-straight goals in the first 2:17 to give the hosts the momentum. The Sea Gulls scored six consecutive goals and won the first four draw controls of the half after the Mustangs dominated possession in the opening 30 minutes.

The Mustangs turned the ball over on three of their first four possessions of the second half as Stevenson totaled just one shot in the opening 16:04 half.

Merrick stopped Salisbury's 6-0 run with an unassisted goal with 11:09 remaining in the second half. The senior, who moved into tenth place all time with 132 career points, is six goals shy of 100 career goals.

Bittner came up with a big stop to keep the visitors lead at two, but Samantha Duranti's free position goal just a minute later got the hosts back within one with 6:48 left.

The Mustangs won the ensuing draw control but totaled their 17th turnover of the game to give Salisbury the ball back with a chance to tie. An interception by Bittner would give Stevenson the ball back but the visitors turned the ball over again with 3:09 remaining.

The Sea Gulls, who finished with 15 turnovers, turned the ball over in front of the crease that Bittner was easily able to scoop up with 1:48 to go. With the Mustangs trying to play keep away, Baer was able to knock the ball out of Bittner's stick and into the net to tie the game at 8-8 with 50 seconds remaining.

Senior Meg Gill won the draw control but the Mustangs defense had a arrant pass giving the ball back to Salisbury with a chance to win but Baer could not get the ball on net.

In the second overtime, junior Jordan Porretto drew a charge call forcing a Salisbury turnover near the Mustangs offensive zone. On the restart, Porretto found sophomore Olivia Monteiro who was able to dodge her defender and score the go ahead goal with 1:54 remaining in the overtime period.

But Salisbury had an answer, as Kara O'Rourke scored her first goal of the game with 41 seconds remaining.

Baer won the opening draw control of the third overtime period setting up the Sea Gulls for the game-winning goal. Gabbi Nieves scored her lone goal of the game on a free position shot, the third of the day for Salisbury who finished 3-for-6 from the free position.

The Sea Gulls outshot Stevenson 31-14, including 17-5 in the second half and 4-1 in the overtime periods. The Mustangs also totaled 25 turnovers and were 12-for-20 on clears.

Wagner finished with three goals and one assist while Merrick and senior Amanda LeGar each totaled three points. Bittner finished with nine saves.

Baer led the Sea Gulls with four goals.

Stevenson returns to action on Wednesday, March 4 when the Mustangs host No. 8 Franklin & Marshall in their home opener. Opening draw is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.