MILLERSVILLE, Pa. – The Millersville women's lacrosse team improved to 5-3 overall and 2-1 in the PSAC East after defeating the Shippensburg Raiders on Saturday afternoon on Chryst Field. The Marauders generated an early lead over Shippensburg after holding the Raiders scoreless in the first quarter and allowing just two Shippensburg goals before halftime. The Raiders looked to close their deficit and outscored the Marauders 4-2 in the third, but the Marauders' lead was too far for Shippensburg to recover from, defeating the Raiders 19-12 on Saturday. Shippensburg now drops to 1-7 overall and 0-4 in PSAC East action.

"We had control and didn't force any shots or feeds," said head coach Kaitlyn Hafdell. "The girls had composure today and winning the draws was key to take ahold of the game."

The Marauders were effective off the draw, winning 20 compared to Shippensburg's 13. Millersville also held the edge in shots (36-33), and ground balls (24-23). The Raiders were successful on 10-of-12 clear attempts while Millersville went 12-for-14. 

Liv Genovese led the Marauders in scoring with six goals from 12 shots. Genovese also picked up two ground balls and caused two Shippensburg turnovers. "Liv knows how to play shots, take drives, and when to feed the ball," said Hafdell. "She has that lacrosse I.Q. to take advantage of reading her defenders which she did well today." 

Scoring five goals from six shots on goal was sophomore Rachel Keeney. Mary Moraca and Hayden Corcoran tallied three goals each and Ashlyn Simonetti and Ella Linthicum would score just one each. Taiyana Goldsborough and Corcoran led the team in ground balls with four. 

In goal, Morgan Scott tallied a new career-high of 18 shots saved from 30 shots on goal. Scott held a .600 save percentage against the Raiders and scooped up one ground ball. "Morgan has great reflexes," said Hafdell. "She will save shots anywhere and on frame which allowed her to come up big on defense." 

HOW IT HAPPENED 

• Millersville held Shippensburg scoreless in the first quarter to generate a 5-0 lead. The Raiders would shoot nine shots on goal, but Scott's quick instincts would save all nine shots. Keeney and Genovese would score twice in the first and Moraca would score once. 
• The Marauders would increase their lead 8-0 in the second quarter after scoring three consecutive goals. Shippensburg would get on the board after with 11:07 remaining after a Kayla Vosburg save resulted in a Raiders counterattack to get the ball in their offensive end. Millersville would win the draw after Shippensburg's goal where Genovese would work her way into the fan and score her third goal of the day. With 6:69 on the clock, the Raiders would tally their second goal off a free position shot, but the Marauders would answer right back to lead 11-2 heading into the half.
• Shippensburg outscored Millersville 4-2 in the third to trail by seven goals heading into the final quarter of regulation. Keeney and Genovese would score back-to-back goals for Millersville to lead 13-3 with 10:46 remaining, but the Raiders would hold Millersville scoreless for the remainder of the third and tally three additional goals to trail 13-6.
• Scoring three consecutive goals in the fourth, Millersville would increase their lead 16-6 with 9:05 left in regulation. Despite the 10-goal difference, the Raiders continued to fight and tallied three unanswered goals to cut their deficit to seven. Millersville and Shippensburg would each score three additional goals each to end the quarter, with the Raiders scoring all three from free position attempts. Millersville's early lead in the first half allowed them to keep a safe distance to secure a 19-12 conference win. 

• Genovese fired off a team-high of 12 shots. 
• Shippensburg earned 11 free position attempts compared to nine for Millersville. 
• The Marauders' defense forced 15 Raider turnovers, Corcoran and Genovese led the team in caused turnovers with two each. 
• Millersville fired off a game-high of 11 shots in the second quarter, three of which were on goal. 
• The Marauders scored four of their goals off free position attempts. 

• Millersville is back at Biemesderfer Stadium on Wednesday, Mar. 29 at 4 p.m. to host the Rams of Shepherd for another PSAC East match-up.