Youngstown State University
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Purdue Fort Wayne
Women's Soccer Faces PFW in HL Semifinals Thursday
11/2/2022 11:44:00 AM | Women's Soccer
| No. 5 Youngstown State vs. No. 2 Purdue Fort Wayne | |
|---|---|
| Date & Time | Thursday, Nov. 3 | 5 p.m. |
| Opponent | vs. Purdue Fort Wayne | Live Stats | ESPN+ |
| Live Tweets | @YSUWSoccer | @YSUSports |
| Hash Tags | #GoGuins | #HLWSOC |
The Opening Kickoff
No. 5 Youngstown State continues its postseason journey in the Horizon League Championship Semifinals when it takes on No. 2 Purdue Fort Wayne, Thursday, Nov. 3. Kickoff at the Engelmann Stadium is slated for 5 p.m. Eastern and the game will be broadcast live on ESPN+.
Last Time Out
The Penguins defeated No. 4 Wright State, 2-1, on Oct. 30 in the quarterfinals to advance to the semifinals for the first time in school history. Freshman Taylor Berry scored in each half to lead the Penguins.
Up Next
With a win, the Penguins will face either No. 1 Milwaukee or No. 6 IUPUI in the championship game, Saturday, Nov. 5, at 2 p.m. Eastern.
Tarzi Named POW
Youngstown State sophomore forward Elis Klein Spindola has been named the Nike Horizon League Women's Soccer Offensive Player of the Week, the league announced on Monday. This is Klein Spindola's first weekly award and the first time since 2016 that YSU player was earned the offensive honor. She recorded the 12th hat trick in program history and secured the women's soccer program's first Horizon League Tournament berth since 2014 as the Penguins knocked off Robert Morris, 3-1, on Oct. 26 at the North Athletic Complex. Klein Spindola's three-goal performance was YSU's first hat trick since Allison Ludwig's against Robert Morris in 2010, and the first one in the Horizon League this season.
Rondin, Berry Earn Postseason Honors
Youngstown State senior Abriana Rondin was named All-Horizon League Second-Team and Taylor Berry was named to the Horizon League All-Freshman Team after a vote of the league's head coaches, the Horizon League announced on Friday. Rondin, who lead the Penguins with 36 shots, scored two goals and had two assists this season for six points. She also scored the game-winner Purdue Fort Wayne on Oct. 13. She is the first YSU player to earn all-league honors since 2019. Berry tallied 22 shots and scored two goals with an assist for five points this season. She scored a game-tying goal against Oakland on Sept. 15 and sealed a 2-0 victory with a goal against IUPUI on Oct. 22. She is the third YSU player in the last four seasons to be named to the All-Freshman Team. Maddie Angelo was the last player named to the team in 2021.
Appolonia, Evans Earn Academic Honors
Youngstown State graduate student Jordan Evans and junior Justine Appolonia were named to the Horizon League Women' Soccer's Honorable Mention All-Academic Team, the league announced on Oct. 25. Evans, who carries a 4.0 grade-point average while pursuing her M.B.A, graduated with her bachelor's degree in finance with a 3.91 grade-point average. She Has appeared in 15 matches and made eight starts this season and scored her first career goal against Milwaukee on Sept. 25. She was also named to the Horizon League Honor Roll eight times. Appolonia has a 4.0 grade-point average in mathematics. She Has appeared in all 16 matches and has made seven starts this season. She scored her first career goal against Green Bay on Oct. 6. and has been named to the Horizon League Honor Roll four times.
First Tournament Clinched Since 2014
With the 3-1 win over Robert Morris on Oct. 26, Youngstown State clinched its first Horizon League Tournament berth since 2014. The Penguins have a tournament record of 2-11. Their first win came in a shootout against Valparaiso on Oct. 29, 2008.
Another Kirkpatrick Record
With the win against Robert Morris, junior goalkeeper Brooklynn Kirkpatrick set the YSU single-season wins record for a goalkeeper with seven. She also owns the YSU single-season and career shutout record with seven and nine. She now has eight victories.
Penguins Set HL Wins Mark
The Penguins set the program record with five Horizon League wins in 2022. The previous record was three set in 2012 and 2014.
Offensive Uptick
Over the last eight games, the Youngstown State offensive has been impressive. The Penguins have outscored their opponents, 15-7, and are 6-1-1 during that span.
Curtis the Giver
Senior Haley Curtis has been one of tops in the league in assists. She leads the Penguins and is tied for seventh in the Horizon League with four assists.
LaVigna Lately
Senior Regan LaVigna has scored at least a point in the last three of the last four games and four of the last seven. She was credited with an assist against Green Bay on Oct. 6, scored a goal against Cleveland State on Oct. 16, the game-winner against IUPUI on Oct. 22, and had an assist against Robert Morris on Oct. 26. On the year, LaVigna has three goals and three assists for nine points.
Evans Nets First Career Goal
Fifth-year senior Jordan Evans with a header against Milwaukee on Sept. 25. Evans scored off a direct kick from Mikayla Mustard in the 50th minute of the game.
Welch Gets in the Scoring Column
On Sept. 8, the Penguins and Kent State batted scoreless for 71 minutes before senior Lily Welch found pay dirt. Junior Lianna Van Sice booted a corner kick from the right side into the middle of the box where Welch's header found the bottom left corner of the goal at the 71:14 mark of the game.
LaVigna First Game-Winner
Senior Regan LaVigna's first goal of the season came at the most opportune time. After nearly 60 scoreless minutes against Bucknell, LaVigna found the left-bottom corner of the goal. From just outside the top-left of the penalty box senior Haley Curtis centered a pass in front of the goal where a sliding LaVigna punched a right-footed shot past the Bison's goalkeeper at the 59:59 mark.
Root Posts Guins First Score
Senior Maddie Root scored her first goal of the season against Duquesne on Aug. 25. Her goal against the Dukes was her second career goal with Youngstown State.
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