SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. - Junior Karen Schnurr scored four goals, picked up four groundballs and won four draw controls for the Shippensburg University women's lacrosse team on a sunny St. Patrick's Day afternoon from Robb Sports Complex as the Lady Raiders earned a convincing 12-5 victory over Millersville to open PSAC Eastern Division play.

Shippensburg (2-0, 1-0 PSAC East) solidified its second-straight victory to open the season with a stellar defensive effort in the second half in which the Lady Raiders allowed just one goal and held the Marauders to just six total shots over the final 30 minutes of play. When SU was tested, sophomore keeper Meghan Kearney was up to the task with several splendid saves and finished the game with 12 overall.

Schnurr opened the scoring on an early power play just 1:52 into the contest. After a quick answer by the Marauders, Shippensburg scored four consecutive goals, including a free-position conversion by Schnurr, to take a 5-1 lead. Senior Gayle Kuntzmann, junior Rachael Murray and senior Lena Stoneburner also scored during the run.

Millersville (1-2, 0-1 PSAC East) got within 7-5 with a goal just 81 seconds into the second half but did not muster a goal for the remainder of the game. Schnurr added her fourth goal just over one minute later and back-to-back goals by junior Katie Brewer put Shippensburg in control. Senior Liz DiNunno and sophomore Lauren Hauck rounded out the scoring.

Among the defensive all stars on Wednesday was sophomore Meagan Borgoyn, who led SU with six groundballs and also had a caused turnover along the back lines. Stoneburner added two groundballs and won a draw control in addition to her goal, while seniors Lauren Marron and Sarah Petrucci combined for five groundballs.

Wednesday's game was a reunion of sorts for SU head coach Mia Gambino, a 2007 graduate of Millersville. Gambino was a three-time All-PSAC selection, an IWLCA All-Region selection and an Academic All-American under the tutelage of veteran Marauder head coach Barb Waltman.

The contest was also the first of two home dates in which Shippensburg participated in the “Lax 4 Life” fund-raiser in an effort to raise funding for adolescent suicide prevention. Proceeds raised at Wednesday's game will go towards the Allyson Fund that was started three years ago after Allyson Green, younger sister to former West Chester University goalkeeper Mary Beth Green, committed suicide.

The Lady Raiders will conclude its season-opening three-game homestand at 1 p.m. Saturday against No. 4 Limestone. SU will be hosting “Lax 4 Life” once again on Saturday.