MILLERSVILLE, Pa. — Millersville University (2-0) ran past American International College (0-1) in a dominant 9-1 home-opener Friday afternoon in Millersville, Pa.

HOW IT HAPPENED:
The Marauders continued their scoring hot streak with three shots on goal in the first five minutes of play. The Marauders continued to test AIC's goalkeeper until Daina Thomson, senior, found the back of the net with an assist from Teagan Byler, freshman, who logged her first point at the collegiate level. After three more shots on the cage and a defensive save for AIC, Emma Ruley forced a turnover in the offensive zone and played give-and-go with linemate Alexis Kern to extend the lead to two going into the second quarter.

Millersville continued to put the pressure on with three shots on goal in the opening five minutes of play that were all turned away by the Yellow Jackets' goalkeeper. Myah Yesko eventually broke through and netted a goal off a rebound opportunity, making it 3-0 early in the second.

Sarah Crysler was tested shortly after the offensive onslaught by the Marauders and made a save before the Yellow Jackets registered their only goal of the contest. The Marauders went on to concede only one more shot on goal the remainder of the game, with goalies Addy Arkhurst and Katherine Hanlon, who recorded their first minutes in the black and gold. The Marauders led 3-1 at the half.

The floodgates opened after the halftime break. Just two minutes into play, Alexis Kern scored her second goal this season off an Emma Ruley rebound. Freshman Teagan Byler held the offensive standard of pressure when she forced a turnover that led to an Alaina Culbert goal, her second career goal.

Lauren Kampi then went on to score both goals six and seven to extend the lead even further. Kampi, a sophomore, scored her first two goals in a Marauders uniform within two minutes of one another. Her first goal was assisted by Megan Alvarez off a strong endline drive that was initiated by Alexis Kern.

Emma Ruley then added two assists to her point total, assisting Alexis Kern and Megan Alvarez to put the game on ice with a 9-1 score.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:

• The Marauders scored nine goals on 30 shots on goal, their first nine-goal performance since 2017 in a game against Queen's. 
• Millersville had seven different goal scorers in today's contest: Emma Ruley, Alexis Kern (2), Megan Alvarez, Lauren Kampi (2), Myah Yesko, Daina Thomson, and Alaina Culbert. 
• The Marauders took 21 corners in the contest.
• Sarah Crysler improved to 2-0 and added one save with two shots on goal.

POSTGAME WITH COACH BEHRENS: 

• We talked about execution this preseason, and the offense did a great job at getting vertical and getting crosses into the circle. How would you rate your offense's ability to execute the game plan today? 

  • "I think it was overall very good, you score nine goals, I'm definitely not complaining about that. We played a really tough and resilient AIC team. But I do like that we were getting some circle entries, we were getting some results, and earned some corners, and I think we can continue to build off of that."

• Can you speak to the pressure that your attacking line was able to generate today, keeping the Yellow Jackets pinned deep into their defensive zone and generating turnovers? 

  • "Yeah, that was key, that really came together a little bit better, and I think again, having played yesterday and within 24 hours, it's super positive. I think that our ability to communicate, read the plays, and execute the counterattack was positive for sure." 

• This is the most goals you guys have scored in a game in almost a decade. What has been the key to your offense's success so early in the season? 

  • "Honestly, I credit the seniors. All of the seniors have been the most selfless group of people who are going out of their way above and beyond to lift each other up. And I think there is a trust factor in the game plan, themselves, and their teammates; and it's fun for me. I said to them that it is like old-school Millersville in a way, and I really love where they are right now." 

• Coach, you took 21 corners today. How can you speak to your team's ability to generate those scoring opportunities? 

  • "I think earning corners is a positive. Execution is still what we want to focus on, and we gave the ball to some different people today. We want it to make us more versatile. We are trying to give some athletes experience to show what they have, and I am just excited for them to continue to grow and get better. But I think any time we can get the amount of circle entries and the amount of corners that we did, now the focus is execution. Are we putting the ball on net? Are we working through these set pieces? Being able to do that within 24 hours means that focus was positive, and I am very proud of the team; some players made some great in-game adjustments. So very positive today." 

Millersville will play its next game on Thursday, September 11, at Biemsderfer Stadium against Mercy for their Food HUB Drive game at 6:00 PM.