Setting the Scene
The Youngstown State women's soccer team returns to action with a pair of road matches this week when it visits Kent State, Thursday, Aug. 26, and ACC-member Wake Forest, Sunday, Aug. 29. The Penguins and Golden Flashes kickoff at 7 p.m. while start time against the Demon Deacons is set for 1 p.m.
Last Time Out
The Penguins dropped a 1-0 decision to Bucknell on Aug. 19 in the 2021 season opener. Senior goalkeeper Zeeyana Jivraj tallied eight saves in the loss.
Up Next
Youngstown State hosts Marshall, Thursday, Sept. 2, in the 2021 home opener. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. at Farmers National Bank Field.
2021 Captains
Senior Jordan Evans, junior Abriana Rondin and sophomore Brooklynn Kirkpatrick were named team captains after a vote by their teammates.
About Kent State
Kent State enters the week with an overall record of 1-1 with a 2-0 win over Cleveland State anda 5-0 loss to Dayton. Alissa Auther and Cameron Shedenhelm have each scored a goal for the Golden Flashes while Lauren Arruda has a pair of assists.
The Kent State Series
This will be the 13th meeting between Youngstown State and Kent State in a series that dates back to 1997. The Golden Flashes lead the all-time series, 11-1, and have won 11 straight matches against the Penguins. YSU's lone triumph was a 3-1 win on Sept. 10, 1997. Kent State defeated the Penguins, 4-2, in the most recent meeting on Sept. 22, 2019.
Last Time Against Kent State
Kent State defeated the Penguins, 4-2, in the most recent meeting between the two programs. The Golden Flashes jumped out to a 4-0 lead but the Penguins scored a pair of second-half goals to cut the lead in half. Abriana Rondin scored her first collegiate goal when she followed up a rebounded shot into the back of the net in the 71st minute. Less than nine minutes later, Lily Welch also scored her first collegiate goal off passes from Kendra Pampus and Bethany Rasile. Pampus dished the corner kick to Rasile who swung a cross to the back post where Welch was able to head into the goal.
About Wake Forest
The Demon Deacons enter the week with a 2-0 overall record following a 1-0 win over Horizon League foe UIC and a 3-0 victory over High Point. Leading Wake Forest is Shayla Smart with two goals while Jenna Menta has a goal and an assist. Goalkeeper Kaitlyn Parks has a 2-0 record with six saves and a pair of shutouts.
The Wake Forest Series
This is the first meeting between Youngstown State and Wake Forest.
Sizer Nearing Top 10
With her three goals last season, junior Marcella Sizer has posted eight goals during her career. She is approaching the YSU career top 10 list and needs two more goals to move into a tie for 10th place on the list. She also has 19 career points and needs three more to move into a tie for 10th with 22.
Experienced Team
The 2021 Penguins return 22 letterwinners and eight starters from last year's team, including six of seven goal scorers and three goalkeepers.
Penguins Picked Eighth
Youngstown State was predicted to finish eighth in the Horizon League preseason poll voted on by the league's head coaches. The Penguins, who finished 1-7-1 in the spring of 2021, garnered 46 points, including one first-place vote. Milwaukee was predicted to win the Horizon League regular-season title with 130 points and nine out of 12 first-place votes. Northern Kentucky, which had one first-place vote, was picked second with 120 points while Oakland was ranked third with 112 points and a first-place vote. UIC (111 points), IUPUI (104), Cleveland State (91), and Wright State (73) were picked fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh, respectively. Green Bay, Purdue Fort Wayne, Detroit Mercy and Robert Morris round out the final four in the preseason rankings.
Fall 2021 #HLWSOC Preseason Poll
Pl. Team – Pts. (First-place votes)
- Milwaukee – 130 (9)
- Northern Kentucky – 120 (1)
- Oakland – 112 (1)
- UIC – 111
- IUPUI – 104
- Cleveland State – 91
- Wright State – 73
- Youngstown State – 46 (1)
- Green Bay – 44
- Purdue Fort Wayne – 42
- Detroit Mercy – 41
- RMU – 22
