Youngstown State University
Akron
Women’s Lacrosse Set for Midweek Conference Matchup at Akron
4/3/2023 12:33:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
| Game Information | |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | April 5 @ 6 PM | |
| Stile Athletics Field House | Akron, Ohio | |
| Live Coverage | |
|---|---|
| Zips Digital Network | |
| Live Stats | |
| Live Tweets | @YSUwlax | |
The Youngstown State women's lacrosse team will continue their Mid-American Conference schedule on the road as they face Akron Wednesday evening.
First draw against the Zips was originally scheduled for 5 p.m. but will now take place at 6 p.m. The contest will be held inside Stile Athletics Field House, a change from its previously set location at InfoCision Stadium-Summa Field.
Scouting Akron
The Zips are currently 1-9 overall and are coming off a 6-5 loss to Kent State in their MAC opener on Saturday. Akron and Youngstown State have played one common opponent so far in 2023: Gardner-Webb. The Zips were defeated by the Runnin' Bulldogs, 18-10, while the Penguins earned a victory over Gardner-Webb, 21-18. The Zips opened the season with a 20-4 victory over Howard but have lost their last nine games.
Akron's 2023 scoring effort has been led by Alexis Kiefer who leads the Zips in goals (22), points (26), and shots (57). Kiefer also leads the Zips in draw controls (51), ground balls (18), and caused turnovers (12). Also scoring in double digits is Jaelyn Clinkscales, who has scored 13 goals on the season.
Two goalkeepers have exchanged time in the net for Akron with Kylan Rhude edging out Hannah Sanders in minutes played. Rhude has seen over 350 minutes of play this season, making 51 saves and allowing 60 goals for a .459 save percentage. Sanders has recorded over 260 minutes in the net, making 42 saves while allowing 62 goals for a .404 save percentage. Sanders was awarded the team's win over Howard to open the season.
The Zips are under the direction of head coach Christy Mitchell who is in her fourth season with Akron, having led the program since its inauguration. The Zips were 2-15 overall and 1-9 in MAC play during the 2022 season.
Penguins vs. Zips Series History
Youngstown State swept the two regular season matchups between the Guins and Zips last season to improve their all-time record against Akron to 2-2.
On March 3, 2022, YSU earned its first win over in-state rival Akron in a thrilling 12-11 overtime victory. Ali Korin led the Penguins in goals during the contest with four while Natalie Calandra-Ryan delivered a six-point performance with three goals and three assists.
Later in the season, on April 9, 2022, the Penguins earned a second victory over the Zips, 17-14. In the win, Calandra-Ryan scored an impressive seven goals while Korin delivered five to push YSU past Akron.
By the Numbers
- Natalie Calandra-Ryan leads the Penguins in goals scored (32), assists (13), points (45), and draw controls (64). She is also tied for first in caused turnovers (14) with defender Aryss Lindsey.
- Erin Clark and Ali Korin are tied for second on the team in goals scored with 17 apiece while Clark ranks second on the team in assists (11) and points (28). Freshman Ally Garrett has scored 11 goals on the season to round out the top-5 Penguin scorers.
- Jordan Miller (8), Abby Yesko (5), Molly Sheridan (2), Shannyn Cullen (2), Tristen Chang (2), and Dany Emler (2) have also found the back of the net multiple times in 2023.
- Goalkeepers Mikaela Staranko and Jacqueline Cornell have each exchanged time in the net for YSU. Cornell received the most minutes in the Guins' recent outing against Robert Morris. Cornell has played in five games for the Penguins, making 30 saves while giving up 37 goals for a .448 percentage. Staranko has delivered a .374 save percentage in 10 games played, making 77 saves while giving up 129 goals.
Conference Comparisons
- Youngstown State impressively leads the MAC in goals per game (11.10), points per game (15.60), and shots-on-goal per game (19.80). The Penguins also rank second in assists per game, averaging 4.50.
- Sophomore Natalie Calandra-Ryan ranks first in the conference in points per game, averaging 4.50, almost a point higher than all other MAC players. She is also averaging 6.40 draw controls per game which leads the MAC by a large margin.
- Calandra-Ryan is tied for first in goals per game with Kenzie Skylar of Kent with a 3.20 average. Calandra-Ryan also ranks second in assists per game (1.30) and is tied with fellow Penguin Aryss Lindsey ranking second in caused turnovers per game with 1.40.
- Erin Clark also ranks in the top 10 in several statistical categories as she sits fourth in assists per game (1.10), seventh in points per game (2.80), and ninth in draw controls per game (2.70).
- Rounding out the top-10 points scorers is Ali Korin with 2.40 per game, boosted by her seven-point performance against Robert Morris that ranks tied for second in single-game highs this season.
Last Time Out
The Penguins delivered an impressive performance in their MAC opener against Robert Morris, the preseason favorites, but were unable to come away with a victory in a 12-10 loss.
Sophomore Natalie Calandra-Ryan scored the 100th goal of her career, becoming the first Penguin to reach the milestone and doing so in just two seasons of play.
Ali Korin matched a career-high with seven points on the day, scoring five goals and adding two assists.
Five different Penguins combined for the remaining five YSU goals: Erin Clark, Jordan Miller, Dany Emler, Ally Garrett, and Calandra-Ryan. Clark added two assist for three points on the day.
Redshirt-freshman goalkeeper Jacqueline Cornell entered the game mid-second quarter and impressed in the net. She made eight saves in just over 40 minutes of play, only allowing four goals for a .667 save percentage.
Offensive Awards
Two Penguins have been named the MAC Offensive Player of the Week in 2023: Erin Clark and Natalie Calandra-Ryan.
Calandra-Ryan earned the award on March 7 after impressive performances against Niagara and No. 3 Northwestern, scoring four goals, netting nine draw controls, and grabbing two ground balls across both games.
Clark earned this season's first Mid-American Conference Offensive Player of the Week for her all-around impressive offensive performance against Butler in the Guins' season-opener, delivering a seven-point performance and scoring the game-winning goal.
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
Youngstown State will return home to Farmers National Bank Field to host MAC newcomer Eastern Michigan on Saturday, April 8. First draw is set for 1 p.m.
For news and updates throughout the 2023 women's lacrosse season, follow @YSUwlax on Twitter.
