AKRON, Ohio – The Youngstown State women's lacrosse team returned to the winner's circle on Saturday at InfoCision Stadium-Summa Field in Akron, Ohio, edging Mid-American Conference opponent Akron to earn the season sweep of the Zips, 17-14.

With the victory, the Penguins improve to 6-7 overall and 4-2 in MAC play, while the Zips fall to 2-12 on the year, including a 1-6 record in conference play.

First-year Penguin Natalie Calandra-Ryan netted seven goals across 12 total shots to lead all scorers during the contest. Calandra-Ryan now has four games this season with at least five goals scored. Adding to the already impressive stat line, Calandra-Ryan picked-up six ground balls, grabbed four draw controls and forced four caused turnovers.

Ali Korin continues her impressive mid-season stretch, tallying five goals scored on eight shots while adding four assists to log a game-high nine points. The grad-transfer has now scored at least four goals in each of her last five outings.

Jordan Miller (2), Erin Clark, Shannyn Cullen and Tristen Chang account for the Penguins five remaining goals during the contest. Cullen's score acted as her first of the season.

Savannah Clarke and Mikaela Staranko each spent time in the cage for the Penguins, with Clarke making a team-high five saves.

Kunttu and Boyd each highlighted the Zips' scoring efforts, tallying four goals apiece on a combined 12 shots.

Out of the opening draw, the Penguins jumped out to an early two-goal lead following scores by Miller and Calandra-Ryan just 20-seconds apart at the 13:24 and 13:04 points of the first quarter. Following a pair of goals by Zips to even the score a two goals apiece, YSU outscored Akron 5-3 the remainder of the period to take an 8-5 advantage into the second quarter.

The Zips netted a trio of goals during a 3-0 scoring run to begin the second to create an 8-all tie in the first of four stalemated scores during the quarter. The Penguins and Zips met at 9-all at the 7:40 mark following an Akron goal, 10-all at the 3:25 mark following an Akron goal and once more at 11-all with just 34-ticks remaining in the half after Korin's fourth score of the contest. The in-state conference foes headed into the break at an 11-11 deadlock.

Out of the half, Calandra-Ryan found the hot hand, finding the back of the net three times during the Penguins four-goal third quarter. Miller accounted for YSU's lone other goal during the period. As a team, the Penguins outshot the Zips 8-4 during the period, including 7-3 in the shots-on-goal category to take a 15-12 lead heading into the final quarter of play.

In a defensive-heavy final period, each squad scored a pair of goals during the final 15 minutes of regulation.

The Penguins outshot the Zips overall, 35-30, and won the turnover battle 15-26 while forcing nine caused turnovers.

Up Next
Following a week layoff, the Penguins will head back out on the road to Birmingham, Mich., to take on Detroit Mercy on Saturday, April 16, at Seaholm High School. The contest is slated to get underway at 1 p.m.

In the teams' first clash of the season, YSU ousted Detroit Mercy 12-11 in overtime on March 12 at the Watson and Tressel training Site.

For news and updates throughout the 2022 women's lacrosse season, follow @YSUwlax on Twitter.