GREENVILLE, S.C. – Shae Insinga scored a career high six goals Friday evening to lift the Furman women's lacrosse team to a 17-9 victory in its home opener over the Austin Peay Governors at Paladin Stadium.

Furman improves to 1-1 on the season while Austin Peay evens its record at 1-1 overall.

Insinga, a graduate transfer from Sacred Heart, was one of three Paladins to record six points in the victory. The Wantagh, N.Y., native set a new career high of six points along with Lily Toole and Reynolds Hester. Toole, a preseason All-Big South pick, contributed four goals and two assists, while Hester, who also tallied a career high in points, added two goals and a career best four assists.

Caroline Smith registered career highs of three points and three goals. Zoe Milmoe totaled a career high four ground balls and four caused turnovers while Rachel Sbei picked up a career best five ground balls. Preseason All-Big South selection Skylar Hilmer won seven draws. In goal, Sam Melville came off the bench to earn her first collegiate win and finished with two saves and two ground balls.

Lauryn Warfield and Mak Patten both led the Governors with four points apiece. Warfield collected three goals and one assist, and Patten contributed two goals and two assists. Sophia Schwab posted two assists. Goalie Erin-Kate Roeder had five saves and two ground balls.

Furman built an early 6-3 lead after the opening quarter behind four goals from Insinga. Her last at the 3:15 mark extended the Paladins' lead to three goals. Austin Peay answered with four straight goals to begin the second quarter and held a 7-6 lead with 7:39 to go. The Paladins came back with four goals of their own to close out the first half. Toole scored twice over the last 6:35 and Furman led 10-7 at the break courtesy of Hester's goal with 59 seconds remaining.

The Paladins stepped up defensively in the second half limiting the Governors to only two goals over the final 30 minutes. Austin Peay was held without a goal in the third quarter as Furman went on a 5-0 run over the course of 26:19 and went ahead 15-7 on Toole's goal with 3:41 left.

The teams traded the final four goals with Emily Muir's first of her career securing the eight-goal victory for the Paladins in their first-ever meeting against the Governors.

Furman held a 37-18 advantage over Austin Peay in shots and 24-8 in ground balls. The Paladins also forced the Governors into 18 turnovers while finishing with 13 draws.

The Paladins return to the road next Wednesday, February 25, traveling to Queens (N.C.) for a 6 p.m. opening draw against the Royals in Charlotte, N.C.

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