Youngstown, Ohio – The Youngstown State women's soccer team jumped out to a 2-0 lead and held on to defeat Northern Kentucky, 2-1, on Sunday afternoon at Farmers National Bank Field.

The Penguins improve to 5-3-1 overall and 1-1 in Horizon League play while the Norse fall to 3-2-4 overall and 0-1-1 in the league.

Youngstown State took an early 1-0 lead when senior Lianna Van Sice scored at the 15:07 mark. After muscling the ball from an NKU defender, freshman Emma Berdiner slid a pass to an open Regan LaVigna who found a streaking Van Sice with a perfectly placed through ball. Van Sice maneuvered past the goalie and found the lower left of the open net.

After taking a 1-0 lead into the lockerroom at halftime, the Penguins quickly struck again to start the second half.

Senior Abriana Rondin scored her first of the season off assists from Tatum Gretz and Elis Klein Spindola at the 47:24 mark to push the Penguins lead to 2-0.

Gretz centered the ball to Klein Spindola who found Rondin cutting across the top of the 18. Rondin's one-timer found the top-right corner.

The Norse got on the board by converting a penalty kick in the 56th minute to cut the Penguins' lead to 2-1.

Youngstown State goalkeeper Brooklynn Kirkpatrick was credited with five saves to pick up her fifth win of the season.

Youngstown State visits Wright State, Thursday, Sept.  21. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. in Dayton, Ohio.