Youngstown State University
Niagara
Penguins Set for First Road Trip of 2023 at Niagara
2/28/2023 11:24:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse
| Game Information | |
|---|---|
| Thursday | March 2 @ 2 PM | |
| Niagara Field | Niagara Falls, N.Y. | |
| Live Coverage | |
|---|---|
| YouTube | |
| Live Stats | |
| Live Tweets | @YSUwlax | |
The Youngstown State women's lacrosse team will hit the road for the first time in 2023 as they head to Niagara Falls, N.Y. to take on Niagara on Thursday.
First draw in the non-conference contest against the Purple Eagles is set for 2 p.m. at Niagara Field.
About Niagara
The Penguins and Purple Eagles faced off for the first time in program history during the 2022 season as the Guins suffered a 15-10 loss on Feb. 27, 2022 at Farmers National Bank Field. Niagara has posted a 3-1 record to start the 2023 season earning wins over St. Bonaventure, Oregon, and new Mid-American Conference (MAC) member Eastern Michigan. The Purple Eagles' only loss of the season came against Colgate on Sunday.
Niagara is under the direction of head coach Wendy Stone, who is in her 11th season with the team. She led the team to a 9-9 overall record and a 5-3 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) record in the 2022 season. Throughout the first four games of the 2023 season, the Purple Eagles' scoring effort has been led by Andra Savage (12 goals), Lois Garlow (11), and Rachel Crane (10). Savage also leads the teams in draw controls with 14, while Riley Latray leads the team in assists with 11.
Two Purple Eagles have spent over 100 minutes apiece in the cage this season. Jordan Roy, who has made one start for Niagara, has made nine saves on 30 shots-faced while giving up 11 goals for a .450 save percentage, while Emma Mielke, who has started three games, has made 11 saves on 46 opponent shots, giving up 19 goals, for a .367 save percentage.
By the Numbers
- Natalie Calandra-Ryan enters the contest leading the Penguins in goals scored (16), points (23), and draw controls (28). She is also second on the team in assists (7) and caused turnovers (7).
- Sydney Bumstead is second on the team in goals scored with nine on just 12 total shots.
- Erin Clark leads the team in assists with eight and has also scored eight goals on the season.
- Ally Garrett (7), Ali Korin (5), Jordan Miller (4), Abby Yesko (3), and Molly Sheridan (2) have also found the back of the net multiple times in 2023.
- Defender Aryss Lindsey leads the team in caused turnovers, forcing 11 on the season.
- Goalkeeper Mikaela Staranko has played a full 60 minutes in all four games in 2023 making 41 saves on 133 shots-faced and giving up 66 goals for a .383 save percentage.
- The Penguins are outscoring their opponents 19-16 in the fourth quarter.
A Win Would…
- Improve the Penguins' overall record to 2-3.
- Be the second victory under first-year head coach Kendyl Clarkson.
- Mark YSU's first win over the Purple Eagles.
- Bring the Penguins' all-time record against non-conference opponents to 4-8.
- Improve the Penguins' overall program record to 8-5 on the road.
Last Time Out
Youngstown State is coming off a four-game February homestand that ended with a 1-3 record, facing four tough non-conference opponents. Most recently, YSU suffered a 16-13 loss to Duquesne on Friday, Feb. 24.
In the matchup, Natalie Calandra-Ryan led all scorers with six goals and tallied a game-high 11 draw controls. Calandra-Ryan also added an assist for a seven-point performance.
Erin Clark (2) and Sydney Bumstead (2) also scored multiple goals for the Penguins. Clark also added two assists while Bumstead added one. Ali Korin, Jordan Miller, and Ally Garrett each scored a goal apiece to round out the Penguins' scoring effort.
Aryss Lindsey led all defenders with four caused turnovers and also grabbed three ground balls and netted three draw controls. Mikaela Staranko had four saves on 26 Duquesne shots and finished with a .200 save percentage.
Penguins Picked Fourth
YSU was selected fourth in the 2023 Mid-American Conference Preseason Coaches Poll, receiving 31 points.
1. Robert Morris (4) – 46 points
2. Central Michigan (3) – 43 points
3. Kent State – 32 points
4. Youngstown State – 31 points
5. Akron – 18 points
T6. Eastern Michigan – 13 points
T6. Detroit Mercy – 13 points
Up Next
The Penguins will remain on the road as they face No. 3 Northwestern on Sunday in a non-conference bout at Ryan Fieldhouse in Evanston, Ill.
For news and updates throughout the 2023 women's lacrosse season, follow @YSUwlax on Twitter.
