Opening Kick
The Youngstown State women's soccer team (1-1-1) returns to the pitch to visit Canisius, Thursday, Aug. 29. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. at in Buffalo, N.Y. and the game will be broadcast on ESPN+.
The Series
This is the 16th meeting between Youngstown State and Canisius in a series that dates back to 1996. The Golden Griffins lead the all-time series 10-4-1 and won the last meeting, 1-0, last season at Farmers National Bank Field. The last time the Penguins defeated the Golden Griffins was 4-0 victory in 2012 at Stambaugh Stadium.
About The Golden Griffins
Canisius enters the game with an overall record of 1-0 after knocking off Binghamton, 5-0, on Aug. 22. Madeline Weltin led the Golden Griffs with two goals while Erin Weir scored a goal and had an assist. Goalkeeper Jordan Spencer tallied three saves and posted a shutout.
Up Next
The Penguins stay return home to host George Washington, Sunday, Sept. 1 at 1 p.m. at Farmers National Bank Field.
Berry Nearing Charts
Junior Taylor Berry is quickly nearing the YSU all-time goals scored top 10 list after scoring her ninth career goal with a score against Saint Franics (Pa.) on Aug. 22. She needs one more goal to move into a tie for 10th place and two more to move into a tie for eighth. Berry has also scored a total of 22 career points and needs just four more to move into a tie for 10th on the career points chart.
My Oh, Maya
Redshirt freshman Maya Naimoli picked up a pair of collegiate firsts after the Penguins' 2-0 victory over Saint Francis (Pa.). The Wayne, Pa., native recorded her first career win and posted the first shutout of her career while collecting five saves against the Red Flash.
Brick Wahle
Freshman Teagan Wahle recorded the first goal of her career and it proved to be her first career game winner. Wahle laced a shot from 23-yards out that found the lower-left corner of the net to give the Penguins a 1-0 lead against Saint Francis (Pa.) on Aug. 22.
The Captains
Youngstown State women's soccer Head Coach Brian Shrum announced that graduate student Lianna Van Sice and juniors Taylor Berry and Emma Rigone have been named team captains for the 2024 season.
Van Sice is SO Back
Graduate student Lianna Van is back to her 2023 form after one match played in 2024. She scored the Penguins first goal of the season in the Penguins 2-2 draw against Kent State on Aug. 18. It also marks her third goal in her last 13 games played. Van Sice scored a pair of goals with three assists in just 10 games played in 2023.
Impressive Debut for Naimoli
Redshirt freshman Maya Naimoli turned in an impressive debut in the net for the Penguins soccer program. Naimoli faced 20 shots, including eight on goal, against Kent State on Aug. 18. She posted a career-high six saves in the tie.
What Returns
Youngstown State returns 18 letterwinners and five starters from last year's squad. More importantly, the Penguins return 76.1 percent of their scoring from a season ago. YSU returns its top three scorers and five of its top six. Chloe Weiland led the squad with four goals, three assists and 11 points,
Weiland Had Breakout Campaign
Junior Chloe Weiland had a breakout season for the Penguins in 2023. The Butler, Pa. native totaled four goals, including two game winners, and tied for the team lead with three assists.
Berry Continued Success
Junior Taylor Berry continued her success from year one into year two at YSU. She tallied three goals with three assists. In two years with the Penguins, Berry has scored seven goals with four assists for a total of 18 career points.
Berdiner All-Freshman
Sophomore Emma Berdiner was named to the Horizon League All-Freshman Team last season after tallying a pair of assists in 2023. Berdiner, Taylor Berry, and Maddie Angelo have been named to the league's all-freshman team during their career.
Program Rising
Youngstown State is coming off the first consecutive 500 seasons in program history after going 9-8-3 in 2022 and 7-7-3 in 2023. The 17 wins over a two-plus year span are also the most in program history.
Returning Scorers
Along with Chloe Weiland and Taylor Berry, the Penguins return six players that scored goals last season. Lianna Van Sice posted a pair of goals and recorded three assists while Elis Klein Spindola and Maddie Keister each tallied two goals. Emma Rigone, Abby Knight and Marissa Masano also scored goals in 2023.
Penguins Tabbed Fifth in League Preseason Poll
2024 Under Armour #HLWSOC Preseason Poll
Place. Team (First Place Votes) – Points
1. Milwaukee (10) – 120
2. IU Indianapolis – 103
3. Northern Kentucky – 100
4. Wright State – 71
5. Youngstown State (1) – 65
6. RMU – 60
7. Oakland – 59
8. Detroit Mercy – 54
9. Purdue Fort Wayne – 44
10. Cleveland State – 32
11. Green Bay – 18
