WINCHESTER, Va. - Coach Lois Bowers and her women's lacrosse team opened the 2004 season Tuesday afternoon the same way they did the 2003 campaign, with a big home victory.

Shenandoah (1-0) made it two straight home opening victories by dispatching visiting Wesley (0-3) 15-4.

The Hornets wasted little time in winning the first ever matchup against the Wolverines; SU scored the first three goals of the game within the first 15 minutes of the game before taking 5-1 lead into the break.

After Wesley got within two on an unassisted goal by Stacey Johnson at the 13:45 mark of the first, Shenandoah reeled off six straight tallies to turn the game into a rout. Senior Sharon Sparwasser (Baltimore, Md./Kenwood) had three of these six goals, while freshman Courtney Beard (Manchester, Md./North Carroll) had two and sophomore Lauren Prentice (Westminister, Md./Liberty) one.

Sparwasser and freshman Kelly Matagiese (Cape May, N.J./Lower Cape May) led the hosts with four goals apiece and Heather Lethbridge (Belvidere, N.J./Belvidere) added two goals and an assist.

Caty Bivins and Johnson had two goals each for WC.

A complete box score and play by play can be found at http://www.su.edu/athletics/wlax/2004/030904.htm

Shenandoah hosts St. Vincent on Saturday at 1:00.