BLOOMSBURG, Pa. — The Bloomsburg women's lacrosse team opened its 2026 season in dominant fashion Friday afternoon, erupting for 12 first-half goals on the way to a 16-5 victory over Gannon at Steph Pettit Stadium.
 
Bloomsburg (1-0) outshot Gannon 36-17, forced 19 turnovers and held a 17-11 edge in ground balls while controlling the tempo from the opening draw.
 
Gannon struck first on a free-position goal at 13:17, but the Huskies answered immediately. Marykate Sitko (Pennsburg, Pa./Upper Perkiomen) tied the contest at 11:02 after winning a ground ball and finishing in transition.

Samantha Keck (Denver, Pa./Cocalico) gave Bloomsburg its first lead at 8:58 before Delaney Fox (Barto, Pa./Boyertown) converted a free-position opportunity at 7:49 to make it 3-1. Sitko followed with back-to-back goals in a 24-second span midway through the quarter, capitalizing on defensive pressure and failed clear attempts.

Emily Gauker (Mohnton, Pa./Governor Mifflin) capped the six-goal run with a woman-up strike off an assist from Alexis Guzylak (Corning, N.Y./Horseheads) at 2:55 as Bloomsburg closed the quarter with a 6-1 advantage.

The Huskies continued their offensive surge in the second period. Payton Bettys (Palm, Pa./Upper Perkiomen) opened the quarter with a goal at 11:35 before Gauker added her second of the afternoon off a feed from Fox at 10:13.

Sitko netted her fourth goal at 9:03 to extend the lead to 9-1. Fox added back-to-back goals at 6:42 and 5:34, the latter assisted by Bettys, stretching the margin to double digits.

After forcing another turnover late in the half, Guzylak scored with 20 seconds remaining to send the Huskies into the break with a commanding 12-1 lead.

Gannon opened the second half with consecutive man-up goals, but Bloomsburg steadied defensively. AnnMarie Davenport (Elkton, Md./Elkton) and Brigid Keaveney (Massapequa Park, N.Y./Massapequa) recorded key caused turnovers during the stretch, while goalkeeper Emily Graham (Wantagh, N.Y./St. Anthony's) delivered timely saves to halt the momentum.

Keck answered at 5:14 to restore a 10-goal cushion as the Huskies carried a 13-3 lead into the fourth quarter.

Fox recorded her fourth goal of the afternoon at 14:06 following a turnover forced by Sitko. Guzylak converted a free-position opportunity at 9:58, and Brianna Austin (Plymouth Meeting, Pa./Plymouth Whitemarsh) followed with her first goal of the season at 8:07 to push the lead to 16-3.

Gannon added two late woman-up goals, but the Huskies controlled possession in the closing minutes to secure the 16-5 victory.
 
Emily Graham (Wantagh, N.Y./St. Anthony's) earned her first win as a Husky with nine saves in cage. Graham picked up a ground ball and caused a turnover as well.
 
The Huskies get back to action on Wednesday when they hit the road for the first time in 2026. Bloomsburg travels to Lock Haven for a 3:00 p.m. non-conference contest against the Bald Eagles.