Sparkill, N.Y.- The Georgian Court University women's lacrosse squad, playing its first road contest since returning from Florida a week ago, suffered a 16-4 setback Wednesday afternoon at St. Thomas Aquinas College.

The Lions kick off the 2016 campaign with a 0-4 ledger while the host-Spartans climb above the .500-mark at 4-3 overall.

Initial goals by Xena Valenzuela and Samantha Fernandez provided GCU an immediate 2-0 lead just 2:36 into the contest. STAC's Ruth Pluviose (Sr.-Brooklyn, N.Y.) proceeded to erase the Spartans' deficit single-handedly with two unassisted tallies.

Taylor Bauerband's scoring effort at 18:29 snapped the 2-2 stalemate and provided Georgian Court a slight 3-2 advantage in what would be the final lead of the afternoon for the Lions. The STAC offense would go on to score 11 unanswered goals to secure a mighty 13-3 surplus with 25:27 remaining in regulation.

Callie Brown's seventh score of the season (24:19) snapped the Spartans' scoring spree before the home team rattled off three more goals over the final 22:35 of action.

Melissa Gabay (So.-Medford, N.Y.) improved to 2-0 in net for STAC, collecting three saves in 50:52 of play. Stephanie Lehner was tagged with the loss, denying eight Spartan attempts on goal in 55:07.  St. Thomas Aquinas outshot its foe, 37-11, on the day.

Pluvoise and teammate, Courtney McGrath, poured in four goals apiece for the Spartans while Sabrina Prestano (Sr.-Medford, N.Y.) compiled a goal and four assists.

GCU returns to action on Thursday, March 17 when the Lions host Franklin Pierce University at 3:30 p.m.