Millersville University
Vulcan Invitational
Millersville finishes fifth after a strong opening tournament
9/4/2026 9:30:00 PM | Women's Golf
BELLE VERNON, Pa. —The Millersville women's golf team opened its season with a strong performance, battling through heat and rain while maintaining a positive attitude throughout the opening tournament and finished in the top five as a team shooting 86-over par.
The Marauders were led by sophomore Erica Gerner, who finished tied for 15th overall at 17-over par. Gerner, a Hamburg, Pa., native, carded a 9-over par in the opening round before improving to an 8-over par in the second round.
Junior Sabrina Swope followed Gerner, finishing 20th at 21-over. Swope, who hails from Levittown, Pa., enters her third season with the Marauders after finishing third on the team and tied for 18th at the PSAC Championship as a freshman.
Senior Ashden Stitt rounded out Millersville's top three, tying for 21st at 22-over. The Hollidaysburg, Pa., native shot a 12-over par in the first round and improved to a 10-over in the second.
Senior Anabelle McGowan finished tied for 34th at 30-over, while fellow senior Lex Pfeufer finished tied for 40th at 32-over. Sophomore Rachel Schuda, competing individually, finished tied for 45th at 33-over. McGowan, a Woolwich, N.J., native, enters her senior season after earning PSAC Scholar-Athlete honors in both 2025 and 2026.
Despite the challenging conditions, head coach Matt Shur was pleased with the way his team handled its first test of the season. "The women came out very strong and played some excellent golf early on," Shur said. "There was some adversity with the heat and rain as the day went on but the ladies handled it well."
The Marauders' ability to stay composed was especially important as the conditions became more difficult. Rather than allowing a bad hole or difficult stretch to affect the rest of their rounds, the players continued to focus on the shot in front of them.
"They don't get mad or frustrated, they keep calm, and play the game one shot at a time," Shur said.
That mentality is part of what makes this group so close. With three seniors and several returning players leading a roster that also includes sophomore Brooke Arhotakis, junior Swope and freshman Addison Salais, the Marauders have a mix of experience and youth to build on throughout the season.
"The women are a very close group and support each other like no other team," Shur said. "They push each other to do well and keep encouraging each other throughout the day."
With the first tournament behind them, Millersville will turn its attention to the Dickinson Invitational next week and look to apply what it learned from the opening event. For the Marauders, the focus is on making the adjustments necessary to continue improving rather than dwelling on the result.
"You either win or you learn, and since we did not win, we will learn," Shur said. "This team is going to only get better as the year goes on."
