The Youngstown State women's lacrosse team will play their second home game to begin the 2025 season when they welcome Saint Francis to Youngstown on Sunday. The game will take place indoors at the Watson and Tressel Training Site. The opening draw is set for 3:00 p.m. There will not be a live broadcast of the game. The game, initially scheduled to be played at DeGol Field on Saturday in Loretto, PA., was moved to Youngstown due to impending inclement weather in Central Pennsylvania.
Last Time Out
The Penguins dropped a heartbreaking 14-13 overtime decision vs. Lindenwood in their season-opener last Friday, Feb. 6, at the Watson and Tressel Training Site in Youngstown.
YSU had a red-hot start in the first half, leading by as many as five goals on two separate occasions (7-2, 8-3). After leading 8-3 halfway through the second quarter, Lindenwood ended the first half on a 4-0 run, cutting the lead to 8-7 heading into halftime.
The second half was a game of runs, as YSU scored the first three goals of the third quarter to grow their lead back up to 11-7, before Lindenwood answered with three-straight goals of their own to cut the lead to 11-10 with 8:49 remaining in regulation. Two more Penguins goals, the latter by Katie Grottenthaler with 6:25 remaining in the fourth quarter to give YSU a 13-10 lead, would be the last of the night for the Penguins, as the Lions scored three goals in the final four minutes to tie the game at 13 and send it to overtime.
Lindenwood controlled the draw to begin the overtime period and wasted no time as Alissa DiGiacinto scored the game-winning goal just 10 seconds into the period, winning the game for the Lions, 14-13.
Sophomores Katie Grottenthaler and Brooke Peck led the way offensively for the Penguins, both setting new career-highs with four-goal performances. Grottenthaler also led YSU with four draw controls.
Junior Brooke Harper had seven saves in goal in her first appearance as a Penguin.
Freshmen Claire Baenziger and Tara McHugh had very strong collegiate debuts, as Baenziger netted three goals, and McHugh was tied for a team-high with three caused turnovers.
About Saint Francis
The Red Flash come into the matchup with an 0-1 record on the season, losing to Mid-American Conference opponent Akron, 11-4 in their season-opener on Tuesday.
A Saint Francis goal from Julia Givens tied the game 4-4 with 3:59 remaining in the second quarter, but that was the last goal that the Red Flash would score. Akron would go on to shut out SFU in the second half, 7-0, to win the game 11-4.
Freshman Heather Delbone led Saint Francis as she netted her first two collegiate goals. Taylor Coughlin had 14 saves in the cage for SFU.
Series History
This will be the second meeting all-time between the Penguins and the Red Flash. The first meeting occurred on Feb. 18, 2022, a 19-6 victory for Youngstown State at the Watson and Tressel Training Site.
The Penguins offense was red-hot from beginning to finish, scoring at least four goals in each period on their way to the victory.
YSU drew first blood with a goal from Erin Clark to make the game 1-0 just 38 seconds into the first half, the Red Flash answered with a goal from Amanda Heidt with 11:03 left in the first quarter to tie the game 1-1, but that was the last time the game would be tied. YSU scored the last six goals of the first quarter to cling on to a 7-1 advantage, and they would score four goals in each of the next three quarters.
YSU had six different players find the back of the net, five of those players having multi-goal performances.
Natalie Calandra-Ryan led the Penguins with five goals, while Sydney Bumstead, Erin Clark, and Lauren Ottensmeyer all had hat tricks with three goals each.
Savannah Clarke had six saves in the cage for the Penguins, while Mikaela Staranko had five.
A Win Would
- Give YSU a 1-1 overall record, as well as a 1-1 record at home this season.
- Be YSU's second win over Saint Francis in program history.
- Improve YSU's record to 2-0 all-time against members of the Northeast Conference.
- Give Head Coach Rob Harris his first win at YSU, and his 103rd career win.
Roster Outlook
Youngstown State boasts a 30-player roster with 17 newcomers and just 13 returnees from the 2024 squad. Five of the 17 newcomers are transfers, while the other 12 are true freshmen. Seven of the 13 returnees started in at least 10 games last season. The Penguins return five major statistical category leaders from last season, including the team's top attacker from last season, Lena Cox. Cox led the Penguins as a freshman last season in goals (25), assists (10), points (35), and shots on goal (44). YSU also returns Genna Cooke, who led the Penguins in draw controls as a freshman last season with 40.
Class Breakdown:
Freshmen (12): Claire Baenziger, Mary Gasper, Sami Drew, Lexy Koslakiewicz, Jacella Nephew, Meghan McGrath, Tara McHugh, Kaylie Moore, Stella Rohrbaugh, Bailey Doorhy, Liz Amos, Kara Goertz
Sophomores (10): Gwen Bogash, Lena Cox, Mackenzie Flannigan, Katie Grottenthaler, Tori Bustamante, Ava Kreutzer, Grace Rund, Brooke Peck, Mia Yuris, Genna Cooke
Juniors (5): Brooke Harper, Skylar Pigrom, Ally Garrett, Mia Stahl, Emma Hoffman
Seniors (3): Mia Kuzdzal, Molly Sheridan, Grace Manser
First-Year Transfers in Youngstown
Youngstown State was very busy during the offseason transfer portal window, bringing in five talented transfers to help complete this season's roster.
0 Brooke Harper (Jr.) – Previous School: Hood College
Harper started in all 31 games that she appeared in as a goalkeeper over her two seasons at Division III Hood College. She led the Blazers in saves in each season, totaling 117 saves as a freshman in 2023, and 112 saves as a sophomore in 2024. She had 10 performances over her time at Hood College where she corralled double-digit saves, including a career-high 14 saves twice.
She made the start in the cage in her first appearance for the Penguins vs. Lindenwood last Friday, totaling seven saves.
3 Gwen Bogash (So.) – Previous School: Notre Dame College (Ohio)
Bogash burst onto the scene during her freshman season at Division II Notre Dame College in 2024, finishing in a tie for the team lead in goals on the season with 27, while also finishing second on the team in assists with 34. She had eight multi-goal performances on the season, including a season-high eight goals vs. Davis & Elkins on Mar. 27, which tied for the second-most goals scored in a game in program history.
7 Mackenzie Flannigan (So.) – Previous School: Kent State
Flannigan comes to Youngstown State after spending the 2024 season at fellow MAC school Kent State. She made one appearance last season vs. Cincinnati on Feb. 10. She was named to the Academic All-MAC Team.
She started in the season-opener for the Penguins, causing two turnovers defensively.
12 Tori Bustamante (So.) – Previous School: Molloy University
Bustamante had a sensational freshman season at Division II Molloy University in 2024, as she was named the East Coast Conference Rookie of the Year. She appeared in all 16 games on the season, starting the final nine contests. Bustamante was a very versatile player for the Lions as she contributed both offensively and defensively, totaling 27 points on the season on 18 goals and 9 assists, while also ranking second on the team in ground balls with 35, and fifth on the team in caused turnovers with 18. She scored a goal in 12 contests, including netting a season-high four goals vs. Dist. Columbia on Apr. 20. She collected at least three ground balls in six games.
She made a big impact off the bench in YSU's season-opener vs. Lindenwood, tying for the team lead with three caused turnovers and collecting two ground balls.
34 Mia Yuris (So.) – Previous School: Notre Dame College (Ohio)
Like fellow Penguin Gwen Bogash, Yuris joined the Youngstown State program after spending the 2024 season at Notre Dame College. She started in her sole appearance of the season vs. Thomas More on Feb. 18, which was the season-opener.
She accumulated two points for the Penguins vs. Lindenwood, scoring a goal and also dishing out an assist.
Schedule Outlook
The Penguins will play a 15-game schedule this Spring, with seven games coming at home and eight on the road. YSU will now start their season with five-straight games at home, hosting the Red Flash on Feb. 26, and then facing Duquesne on Feb. 19, St. Bonaventure on Feb. 22, and Butler on Feb. 28. NOTE: All five home games to begin the season will be played indoors at the Watson and Tressel Training Site. The Penguins will then wrap up nonconference play with three-straight games on the road, visiting Wofford on Mar. 3, Gardner-Webb on Mar. 6, and Radford on Mar. 8. After the conclusion of their nonconference slate, YSU will play a six-game Mid-American Conference schedule starting on Mar. 16 at home vs. Akron, which will be the first of three home games vs. MAC foes. All home conference games will be played outdoors at Farmers National Bank Field.
Penguins Tied for Sixth in Preseason MAC Poll
Youngstown State was picked to finish in a tie for sixth in the 2025Â Mid-American Conference (MAC) Preseason Coaches Poll, the conference announced on Feb. 5.
2025 MAC Women's Lacrosse Preseason Coaches Poll
(First Place Votes)
1. Robert Morris (4) - 34 points
2. Central Michigan (2) - 31 points
3. Eastern Michigan (1) - 26 points
4. Kent State - 18 points
5. Detroit Mercy - 16 points
T6. Akron - 11 points
T6. Youngstown State – 11 points
Tournament Champion: Central Michigan - 3, Eastern Michigan - 2, Robert Morris - 2
Guins Return Two Members of 2024 MAC All-Freshman Team
During a 2024 season where multiple young players saw significant playing time, Youngstown State boasted three members of the Mid-American Conference's All-Freshman Team at the season's end, two of which have made their return to Youngstown for their sophomore seasons. Lena Cox, the team's leader in goals, assists, and points, last season, scored nine goals and dished out five assists in MAC play. Joining Cox on the All-Freshman Team was Katie Grottenthaler, who scored nine of 17 goals on the season during conference play.
Up Next
The Penguins will be back in action on Wednesday, Feb. 19, when they welcome the Duquesne Dukes to the Watson and Tressel Training Site. The opening draw is set for 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast on the Youngstown State Penguins YouTube page. Fans in attendance will receive a YSU clear tote bag, courtesy of Varsity Club, Medical Mutual, and 21WFMJ.
For news and updates throughout the 2025 women's lacrosse season, follow @YSUwlax on X .
