Junior Molly Sbrega (Portland, Maine/Deering) logged a career-high five goals to help the Denison University women's lacrosse team notch a 20-7 season-opening victory over Guilford College on Sunday in Greensboro, N.C.

Over the opening eight and a half minutes of play the two teams combined for five tallies with the Quakers holding the 3-2 edge over the Big Red.  DU tied the game for the third and final time when Molly Cornbrooks (Baltimore, Md./Roland Park Country School) found Jenny Strathern (Worthington, Ohio/Thomas Worthington) for her first of three goals on the day at 21:18.  Denison took their first lead of the game at 19:30 when Olivia Shiland (South Hamilton, Mass./Hamilton-Wenham) netted an unassisted tally.  Sbrega, Alex Thurner (Cincinnati, Ohio/Summit Country Day) and Cornbrooks all added goals to push the Big Red advantage to 7-3 with 5:26 remaining in the opening period.  Guilford's Sarah Bradburd scored with 68 seconds left in the first frame to trim the deficit to 7-4, but an unassisted tally by Strathern with 24 seconds on the clock gave Denison a four-goal edge at the half.

In the second half, DU erupted for 12 goals compared to just three by the Quakers.  The Big Red scored nine of the first 10 second-half tallies to build a 17-5 advantage.  Sbrega, Katherine Palms (Grosse Pointe Farms, Mich./Grosse Pointe South) and Thurner combined for eight of the team's 12 second-period goals.   In the second 30 minutes, Denison also took advantage of their free-position opportunities as they converted 86 percent of their attempts.

Denison outshot Guilford 39-15, and held a slim 27-26 edge in ground balls.  The Big Red also converted 13 of 20 clear attempts, while the Quakers cleared just 10 of 21 opportunities.

Sbrega's five goals came on five shots, including two free-position chances.  Strathern and Palms each posted three goals and an assist, while Thurner chipped in three scores.  Junior Carly Tschantz (Omaha, Neb./New Trier [Ill.]) recorded 10 of the Big Red's 19 draw controls, while Lulu Carter (Greenwich, Conn./The Millbrook School) controlled five draws to go along with two goals and an assist.  Cornbrooks led the Big Red with four groundballs, while Tschantz forced three turnovers.  DU goalie Grace Bodenmann (Pelham Manor, N.Y./Pelham Memorial) made three saves in 54 minutes to earn the victory.

Summer Frazier and E'Leyna Gracia paced Guilford with a goal and an assist apiece.  Goalkeeper Liza Mettler played all 60 minutes and made 11 saves.

The Big Red improve to 1-0 on the season, while the Quakers fall to 0-3.  Denison returns to action on Sunday (Mar. 6) when they host Fontbonne at 11 a.m.  A live audio broadcast of the game will be provided by the Denison Sports Network.