MILLERSVILLE, Pa. – It had been 665 days since Millersville field hockey last played a game. And the team emphatically returned, topping St. Thomas Aquinas 7-0 behind three goals from newcomer Bri Harsh. 

Millersville coach Shelly Behrens said in camp that 2021 was a clean slate season. That truly was the case Saturday at Chryst Field at Biemesderfer Stadium as six of the seven goals and three of the five assists were recorded by players who weren't with the program in November of 2019.

Harsh, a Penn Manor High School grad who transferred in from Lock Haven, scored her first collegiate goals. Keaghan Keracher, a transfer from Limestone, put the Marauders on the board in the first quarter. Redshirt freshman Morgan Saunders and freshman Saige Shine also tallied their first collegiate scores. Hannah Brown, a 2019 NFHCA All-America selection, also scored during Millersville's first-quarter offensive flurry. 

True freshman goalkeeper Kerstin Koons notched a shutout with three saves in her debut. 

GAME HIGHLIGHTS
• After a quiet opening six minutes, Keracher struck first following a penalty corner and a saved attempt from Kristin Strijdom. Just over one minute later, Kayla Michaels set up Saunders on a penalty corner. Harsh scored on a solo effort with just under four minutes left in the first quarter. Then, with less than a minute remaining, Brown scored on a second effort to cap a four-goal quarter.
• The teams played a scoreless second quarter, but Millersville put a fifth goal on the board four minutes into the third when Brynne Ehrlacher pushed a pass through traffic to Harsh, who beat the keeper for her second goal. Harsh completed the hat trick with 2:03 remaining in the third off an assist from fellow newcomer Qhayiya Nogoduka. Shine capped the scoring with 2:52 left in the game. 
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
• Millersville, playing its first game of the season, utilized 26 players in the game. 
• The Marauders out-shot the Spartans 24-5 and were effective in putting the ball on goal. In addition to the seven goals scored, they forced Spartans' keeper Jessie Hohenstein to make 14 saves. The Marauders also held a 10-3 edge in penalty corners. 
 
REACTION FROM COACH SHELLY BEHRENS
• On the team's energy: "The energy was great. Obviously, we were excited to play--665 days since we were here together. We are a different look, a new look, and we are good. We did a lot of good things today. For the young players, there are things you don't know until you know, so getting experience helps us." 
• On scoring four goals after a quiet start: "Just relaxing, making it like practice and doing the little things well. The second effort in the circle was great. I thought the kids drifted initially from the game plan but came back. There were some early nerves. I liked our attitude and mentality today."
• On the newcomers' performances: "We tried to play everyone--that hasn't changed for us. We always need players ready to go. We have some great versatility."
• On Koons' debut: "All along, Kerstin has been phenomenal with mental, emotional and physical preparation. Today was a credit to that. I told her, 'there's one ball, you know what to do.' Every day she is in it."

NOTES
• Saturday marked the first meeting between Millersville and St. Thomas Aquinas.
• Millersville has now won 10 consecutive season openers. Millersville also scored seven goals in the 2018 season opener. 

UP NEXT
• Millersville continues its six-game homestand Wednesday, Sept. 8 against Frostburg State. Game time is 6 p.m.