Box Score Millersville, Pa. - The Millersville field hockey team produced one of the most impressive season openers in years Friday at Chryst Field at Biemesderfer Stadium. Nevermind that it was against Bentley, the No. 10-ranked team in Division II. Five Marauders accounted for six goals, and Lauren Sotzin tallied her first career shutout in a 6-0 win.

The six goals were the most scored by a Millersville club since 2009 and the most in a season opener since 1989. Junior Samantha Ruane accounted for two of the goals. Sophomore Alicia Youtz, senior Ashley Weber and freshmen Megan Donlan and Lauren Gerhart also scored.

Sotzin, who was making just the third start of her career after taking over for four-year starter Sarah Dickinson, stoned the only three shots sent her way, and she denied a penalty stroke early in the second period when the game was just, 2-0.

Ruane opened the scoring at the 20:53 mark on an assist from Kirsten Dively. Less than two minutes later, Youtz boosted the lead by gathering a loose ball in front of the cage and pushing it past the keeper.

Ruane, who started the scoring, started the second-half barrage. Emily Litchford passed into the center of the circle where Ruane redirected it into the cage. Rachel Dickinson assisted Weber at the 50:23 mark, and then the freshmen Gerhart and Donlan got in on the act. Mary Atkins assisted Gerhart at 61:53, and Donlan took a penalty corner pass from Brittany Anderson and blasted the shot from just inside the circle.

Gerhart's goal came with Millersville play man-down following a yellow card.

Millersville has now defeated Bentley three years in a row, and three of them have been by shutout. Millersville improved to 29-14 against non-conference opponents under Coach Shelly Behrens.

Millersville faces a stiff challenge Saturday at 2 p.m. in No. 3 UMass Lowell. The River Hawks defeated Limestone 3-0 at Chryst Field at Biemesderfer Stadium Thursday to start 1-0. They were also the Division II runners-up in 2011.