After two come-from-behind road wins to start the season, the Muhlenberg lacrosse team breezed to an 18-4 win against Goucher in its home opener.

Technically, this was a comeback win too, as the Gophers (0-5) scored off the opening draw just 12 seconds into the game. But the Mules (3-0) answered just 13 seconds later and did not stop scoring in the first quarter. They led 11-1 at the end of the first 15 minutes, and the final three quarters were played with a running clock.

Junior Nicole Steiner led the offense with a career-high 6 goals, all but one of which came in the first quarter. Both she and senior Samantha Eynon (3 goals) scored their 50th career goals during the game. 

Ava Milia, the first freshman in program history to begin her career with back-to-back games of at least 4 goals, made it three in a row by scoring 4 more in her Scotty Wood Stadium debut.

After Goucher's initial goal, the defense did not allow another shot until the closing seconds of the first quarter. Sophomores Rebecca Himelfarb (4) and Emily Vaughan (3) combined for 7 draw controls in the quarter, and the defense forced seven turnovers.

Winning the draw and transitioning after turnovers enabled the Mules to rapidly add to their lead; they scored twice in 23 seconds, twice in 24 seconds, twice in 35 seconds and three times in 1:32 (all by Steiner) in the opening period.

With the big lead, Muhlenberg allowed several of its younger players to gain game experience in the final three quarters. Among them, freshman Lauren Cherven scored her first career goal, freshman Danielle Sautner recorded her first career points on a pair of assists, and freshman Annalisa Bio (pictured above) controlled 2 draws and caused a turnover.

The Mules have won 10 games in a row against non-conference opponents.