Youngstown State University
Detroit Mercy
Penguins Open Horizon League Play at Detroit Mercy, Host NKU
9/13/2023 9:55:00 AM | Women's Soccer
| Youngstown State at Detroit Mercy; vs. Northern Kentucky | |
|---|---|
| Date & Time | Thursday, Sept. 14 | 5:30 p.m. |
| Opponent | at Detroit Mercy | Live Stats | ESPN+ |
| Date & Time | Sunday, Sept. 17 | 1 p.m. |
| Opponent | vs. Northern Kentucky | Live Stats | ESPN+ | International Stream |
| Live Tweets | @YSUWSoccer | @YSUSports |
| Hash Tags | #GoGuins | #HLWSOC |
The Opening Kickoff
The Youngstown State women's soccer team (4-2-1) open the Horizon League portion of its slate when it visits Detroit Mercy, Thursday, Sept. 14, at 5:30 p.m. The Penguins also host Northern Kentucky, Sunday, Sept. 17. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Farmers National Bank Field.
Last Time Out
The Penguins dropped a 2-0 decision to Valparaiso on Sept. 8
The Detroit Mercy Series
This is the 26th meeting between Youngstown State and Detroit Mercy in a series that dates back to 2000. The Titans own a 22-3 advantage in the all-time series and won the first 17 games against the Penguins. Youngstown State Head Coach Brian Shrum is 2-3 against the Titans. Detroit Mercy won the last meeting, 1-0, in on Sept, 22, 2022.
About Detroit Mercy
Detroit Mercy enters the game with an overall record of 2-3-3 and is coming off a pair of wins over Chicago State, 4-2, and Concordia, 6-0. Gabby Ketola leads the Titans with eight total points on two goal and four assists while Karsen Murray has a team-high three goals.
The Northern Kentucky Series
This is the 10th meeting between Youngstown State and Northern Kentucky in a series that dates back to 2012. The Norse own a 7-2 advantage in the all-time series, but the Penguins have won the last two contests. Last season, the Penguins knocked off the Norse, 1-0, on a goal by Elis Klein Spindola in the 17th minute. Goalkeeper Brooklynn Kirkpatrick tied a single-season record by posting her fifth clean sheet of the season fending off four Norse shots in the contest.
About Northern Kentucky
The Norse enter the week with a 3-1-3 overall record and have won their last two contests. NKU has allowed just four goals all season and has recorded five straight shutouts. Kylie Anderson leads the team with three goals while Mickayla Kowalski owns a 3-1-3 record with four shutouts and one combined shutout.
Up Next
The Penguins visit Wright State, Thursday, Sept. 21 at 6 p.m. before hosting IUPUI, Sunday, Sept. 24, at 1 p.m. at Farmers National Bank Field.
Kirkpatrick Sets All-Time Wins Record
With the Penguins 2-0 over Indiana State, senior Brooklynn Kirkpatrick set the Youngstown State all-time wins record with 15. She broke the old mark of 14 set by Jackie Podolsky from 2012-14.
Best Start in Program History
With its 4-2-1 mark through seven games, Youngstown State is off to the best start in program history. The Penguins went 4-3 after seven games in 2012.
Van Sice Slicin'
Senior Lianna Van Sice has been an integral part the the Penguins offense this season. She scored her first career goal and added an assist in the Penguins' 2-0 win over Indiana State. Van Sice is also tied for the team lead with three assists and has five total points.
Keister Two Goals, Two Game-Winner
Junior Maddie Keister has scored two goals for the Penguins and both were game-winners. Against Indiana State, she scored her second goal of the season on a header after a corner kick by Lianna Van Sice. She scored the first goal and game-winner of her career on Aug. 20 against Akron. Keister launched a free kick from 35 yards out on the left side and found to the top right corner of the net.
First Season Opening Win Since 2019
Youngstown State defeated St. Francis (Pa.), 3-1, in the 2023 season opener. It marks the first time since 2019 that the Penguins opened the season with a victory. It is also the first season-opening road win since the Penguins defeated Niagara, 2-1, on Aug. 23, 2013.
Sharing is Caring
Sophomore Taylor Berry is tied with Chloe Weiland and Lianna Van Sice or the team lead with five total points. Berry scored her first goal of the season against Duquesne and also assisted on the Weiland's game-winner. Berry also assisted on Weiland's first career goal in the season-opening win against St. Francis (Pa.) on Aug. 17.
Most Goals in Opener Since 2010
The Penguins three goals in the season opener against St. Francis (Pa.) were the most to open a season since YSU defeated Robert Morris, 3-1, in 2010. It's also just the fourth time in program history the Penguins have scored at least three goal in the first game of the year.
Goals Opponent Year
3 at St. Francis (Pa.) 2023
3 at Robert Morris 2010
4 Westminster 1999
3 Howard 1996
Weiland Scores First Career Goal
Sophomore Chloe Weiland notched her first career goal against the St. Francis (Pa.) on Aug. 17. Weiland's goal came at the 84:42 mark of the game against the Red Flash to give the Penguins a 3-1 lead.
Tarzi Tacks on Another
The Penguins' leading scorer last season, Elis Klein Spindola, added to her scoring column with her first goal of the season against St. Francis (Pa.) on Aug. 17. She led the Penguins with five goals in 2022 and now has six during her career with the Penguins.
First 3-0 Start Since 2012
With wins over St. Francis (Pa.) on Aug. 17, Akron on Aug. 20 and Duquesne on Aug. 24, Youngstown State posted its first 3-0 record to start the season since 2012.
All-League Returners
Abriana Rondin was named to the All-Horizon League Second-Team while Taylor Berry was named to the All-Freshman Team. Rondin had three goals and two assists while Berry scored four goals and assisted on another. All three of Rondin's goals came in Horizon League action, including the game-winner against Purdue Fort Wayne in the Horizon League Championship semifinals. Berry, who had a game-tying goal against Oakland on Sept. 15, led the Penguins to their first tournament win since 2008 with two goals against Wright State in the quarterfinals on Oct. 30.
LaVigna Among Leaders
Regan LaVigna has moved her way into a pair of YSU all-time top 10 lists. She ranks tied for third all-time with 10 career assists and is 10th with 24 total points. Last season, LaVigna posted three goals and three assists for nine total points.
Penguins Predicted Fourth
The Youngstown State women's soccer team was picked to finish fourth in the 2023 Horizon League Preseason Poll after a vote of the league's head coaches. The Penguins, who earned one first-place vote, totaled 84 points. Milwaukee was a near unanimous pick to win the league with 10 first-place votes and 120 points. Oakland was predicted to finish second with 93 points and Purdue Fort Wayne was third with 85 points, just one point ahead of the Penguins.
2023 #HLWSOC Preseason Poll
Pl. Team – Pts. (First-place votes)
1. Milwaukee (10) – 120
2. Oakland – 93
3. Purdue Fort Wayne – 85
4. Youngstown State (1) – 84
5. Cleveland State – 73
6. IUPUI – 69
7. Wright State – 65
8. Northern Kentucky – 61
9. Detroit Mercy – 40
10. RMU – 19
11. Green Bay – 17
