Box Score LEXINGTON, Ky. - The offense for Transylvania women's lacrosse came alive on Sunday afternoon, as they thrashed the Oglethorpe Stormy Petrels, 20-9.

The Pioneers leapt out to an early 5-1 lead in the first quarter and never looked back, igniting for four-straight unanswered goals to cap the contest in the final 13 minutes of play. 

"I love seeing us mature in such a physical game," said Head Coach Haley Marvine. "We kept our composure and made sure we set the tone for the game."

The sophomore trio of Rachel Harrison, Aubrey Bausum and Sky Spraker dominated the Pioneer offense, combining for 19 of the team's 20 goals. Harrison led on the day, penetrating the Oglethorpe cage eight times on 13 shot attempts, while recording three saves, seven ground balls and six draw controls. Harrison took full advantage of her three free position attempts, converting all three.

Most efficient in shots was Spraker, who netted six goals on seven shots, for a shot on goal percentage of .865. Spraker went 1-for-1 on free position shots and snatched two ground balls.

Bausum, last year's 2013 NCAA DIII statistical leader in goals per game, also aided the Pioneer effort on the scoreboard, knocking in five goals on nine shots and taking five ground balls and six draw controls. She was perfect in free position shots, going 1-for-1. Sophomore Molly Kruse accounted for the final goal, also netting three ground balls and one draw control.

"All of our attackers and middies stepped up," said Coach Marvine. "Our offense was really clicking today."

And clicking they were, even from the opening whistle.

A mere 45 seconds into game play, the Pioneers made their first sting. A turnover by Oglethorpe's Kelly Dutton resulted in an open ball for Bausum, who tossed it to Harrison for the opening goal of the contest.

A draw control by Oglethorpe gave the team position for their first shot, and the Pioneers' first save, but two back-to-back fouls by the Petrels gave Transylvania an open opportunity for their second goal, unassisted by Spraker to put the Pioneers up 2-0.

The Petrels offense, however, came alive before too much damage was made. With possession out of a draw control, a quick shot by Oglethorpe's Juliana Altman found the back of the Pioneer net, cutting the deficit to 2-1.

In response, the Pioneers found the Oglethorpe cage on three-straight occassions, eventually leading 5-1 before the Petrels could halt the rally with a goal of their own with 21 minutes left to play in the first.

For the remaining 20 minutes of the first half, the Pioneers would score two goals for every one scored by Oglethorpe, eventually having the last word with .02 seconds on the clock in their first man-up opportunity of the contest. Leading into halftime, the Pioneers owned a sizable 12-5 advantage.

The second half would mirror the first, as Transylvania would counter with one or two goals for every one made by the Petrels over the first 14 minutes of play. However the final 13 minutes of the contest would be owned by the Pioneers, as they would combine for four-straight unanswered goals to cap off the win, 20-9.

Transylvania peppered the Petrel net with shots all game-long, attempting 45 shots to Oglethorpe's 28 shots.

The defensive hustle, especially of sophomore Jessica Bier, Coach Marvine said, made some "huge hustle plays" that gave the Pioneers valuable position. The Pioneers overtook the ground, netting 30 ground balls to Oglethorpe's 18, and forced 18 Petrel turnovers.

Transylvania goalkeeper Lydia Shaughnessy netted her sixth win of the season in the victory, hitting double-digits in saves (10) and tying her second highest save percentage of the 2014 campaign with a whopping .526.

"Lydia was a brick wall today," said Head Coach Haley Marvine. "She stepped up huge and helped our defense find their rhythm."

The Pioneers welcome in-state foe Centre College on April 21 at 7 p.m. before finishing their season at home against Defiance College on April 26.