Youngstown State University
Duquesne
Penguins To Host St. Bonaventure for Saturday Matchup
2/21/2025 1:28:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
The Youngstown State women's lacrosse team will play their fourth-straight home game to begin the 2025 season when they welcome St. Bonaventure to the Watson and Tressel Training Site on Saturday. The opening draw is set for 12:00 p.m.
Fans in attendance will receive a YSU stadium cup, courtesy of Roof Rite and Lyden Oil Company.
The game will also be broadcast live on the Youngstown State Penguins YouTube page.
Last Time Out
The Penguins are coming off a tough 12-11 loss to Duquesne on Wednesday at night at the Waston and Tressel Training Site. Both of the Penguins' losses this season have been by just one goal.
The Penguins had a late fourth-quarter comeback, scoring two goals after trailing 12-9 with 3:45 remaining. YSU had the last possession of the game and had two shots in the final 20 seconds that were unsuccessful, resulting in their one-goal defeat.
The game was tight throughout, as the margin was just one goal for all but 14 minutes. Duquesne, in fact, was not able to take a multi-goal lead until they made it 11-9 with 5:49 left in the fourth quarter.
YSU jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead less than four minutes into the game, courtesy of two goals from Brooke Peck. The Penguins and Dukes then traded goals the rest of the wuarter, and YSU led 4-2 after the first period.
The second quarter was all Duquesne. The Dukes added the first goal of the period just 56 seconds into it, which was quickly answered less than 90 seconds later by Brooke Peck, her third of the game, but then Duquesne scored the last three goals of the quarter, including their final with just five seconds remaining in the first half, to take a 6-5 lead into the break.
YSU scored two quick goals in the third quarter, the first by Lena Cox with 12:17 remaining, and the second by Claire Baenziger, her second of the game, with 10:25 remaining in the quarter to give YSU a 7-6 lead, but that would be the last time that the Penguins would hold a lead. Duquesne would score the next two goals to take an 8-7 lead with 8:11 remaining in the quarter, Katie Grottenthaler would tie the game at eight with 5:44 remaining, and a Duquesne goal just 36 seconds later would be the final goal of the quarter, giving the Dukes a 9-8 lead after three quarters.
Sami Drew would net the first goal of the fourth quarter with 11:33 left in regulation to tie the game at nine, but Duquesne would go on their second three-goal run of the game, scoring their final with 3:45 remaining to take a 12-9 lead. Genna Cooke would score her first goal of the season with 3:05 remaining, and Grottenthaler would add her second goal of the game with 2:00 left, but it was too little too late.
Duquesne controlled the draws 17-10, including a 6-1 advantage in the first and third quarters. YSU outshot the Duke 31-19, including 10-3 in the first quarter.
Peck led YSU with her first-half hat trick, Baenziger and Grottenthaler each had two goals, and Ava Kreutzer, Cox, Drew, and Cooke each had one goal.
Korrigan Sweeney of Duquesne had 10 saves on the evening, including five in the fourth quarter. Liz Amos led YSU with three saves.
About St. Bonaventure
The Bonnies come into the matchup with a 1-2 record on the season, coming off a 6-5 loss to Niagara on Feb. 14. Like YSU, St. Baonaventure's two losses this season have both come by just one goal, as the Bonnies lost their season-opener 13-12 to Pitt in overtime, similar to how YSU lost their first game, 12-11 to Lindenwood, also in overtime.
Like the Penguins, the Bonnies made a late push, but it wasn't enough. They outscored Niagara 4-2 in the fourth quarter and had a chance to tie the game in the final seconds after a turnover caused by Hannah West with 29 seconds left, but a Tori Nascimento shot was saved with three seconds remaining, sealing Niagara's 6-5 win.
St. Bonaventure scored the game's opening goal with 9:32 remaining in the fourth quarter but went scoreless over the next 42:25 of game-time.
Niagara would go on to score the final two goals of the first quarter, the lone two goals of the third, and the first goal of the fourth quarter to take a 5-1 lead with 12:39 remaining in regulation. The second quarter was scoreless from both sides.
The Bonnies snapped their scoring drought with 12:17 remaining in regulation when Brooke Piper netted her second goal of the day. SBU then added goals from Grace Hollenbeck (11:16) and Fiona McGovern (9:11) to cut it to a one-goal deficit, before Niagara added another goal to make it 6-4 with 4:39 left. Piper netted her third goal of the day with 3:04 remaining, but that was the last goal that the Bonnies would score.
The Bonnies were led offensively by Piper with her three goals, and they also got goals from McGovern and Hollenbeck.
Katelyn Hicks had nine saves in the cage.
Like YSU against Duquesne, the Bonnies outshot Niagara 31-19 in their loss.
SBU dominated the draw control category 11-4.
Bonnies Stat Leaders Through Three Games
Points - McGovern (11)
Goals - Piper (9)
Assists – McGovern (6)
Ground Balls – Britt Colangelo (9)
Caused Turnovers – Colangelo, Hollenbeck, Megan Schillinger, Hannah West (3)
Draw Controls - Schillinger (26)
Saves – Hicks (29)
Series History
This will be the third all-time meeting between the Penguins and Bonnies, with the series tied 1-1. The last meeting occurred on Mar. 27, 2024, at St. Bonaventure, a 19-7 victory for the Bonnies.
YSU's lone win of the series came on Feb. 18, 2022, a 19-6 victory over St. Bonaventure in a season-opening matchup inside the Watson and Tressel Training Site.
In last year's game, it was tied 5-5 heading into halftime, but SBU outscored the Penguins 14-2 in the second half (6-0 in the third quarter, 8-2 in the fourth quarter).
YSU was led by Ava Kreutzer, who scored a team-high four goals, which is still a career-high to this day. Katie Grottenthaler, Grace Rund, and Emma Hoffman all had one goal each.
Molly Sheridan had a team-high two caused turnovers and tied for a team-high with three ground balls.
Tori Nascimento led SBU with four goals, while Brooke Piper netted three.
Katelyn Hicks had seven saves for St. Bonaventure, while Paige Borkowski also had seven for Youngstown State.
A Win Would
- Give YSU a 2-2 overall record, as well as a 2-2 record at home this season.
- Be YSU's second win over St. Bonaventure in program history.
- Improve YSU's record to 2-5 all-time against members of the Atlantic 10 Conference.
- Improve YSU's record to 9-6 all-time in home games played at the Watson and Tressel Training Site.
- Give Head Coach Rob Harris his second win at YSU, and his 104th career win.
Rush-Henrietta High School Reunion
Saturday's game will feature four players who played together at Rush-Henrietta High School.
Lena Cox – YSU (Class of 2023)
Ally Garrett – YSU (2022)
Brooke Cicoria – St. Bonaventure (Class of 2022)
Megan Schillinger – St. Bonaventure (Class of 2022)
All four girls played together on the 2022 Rush Henrietta Royal Comets team, which won the Section Five Class A title, their first since 2008.
Penguins Rank Highly Across the MAC in Many Categories
Youngstown State has shined across the MAC in many statistical categories through early this season.
Shooting Percentage – 46% (1st MAC)
Caused Turnovers – 37 (1st MAC)
Goals Scored – 43 (1st MAC)
Scoring Margin – +2.3 (2nd MAC)
Ground Balls – 54 (2nd MAC)
Draw Controls – 43 (2nd MAC)
Penguins Statistical Leaders
Points:
T-1. Katie Grottenthaler – 10
T-1. Lena Cox – 10
3. Claire Baenziger – 9
Goals:
T-1. Claire Baenziger – 9
T-1. Katie Grottenthaler – 9
3. Brooke Peck – 8
Assists:
1. Lena Cox – 4
2. Mia Yuris – 2
T-3. Katie Grottenthaler – 1
T-3. Sami Drew – 1
Ground Balls:
1. Tara McHugh – 6
T-2. Claire Baenziger – 5
T-2. Meghan McGrath – 5
T-2. Tori Bustamante – 5
Caused Turnovers:
1. Tori Bustamante – 7
2. Mackenzie Flannigan – 5
T-3. Tara Mchugh – 4
T-3. Meghan McGrath – 4
T-3. Katie Grottenthaler – 4
Draw Controls:
1. Katie Grottenthaler – 13
2. Genna Cooke – 11
3. Ava Kreutzer - 9
Baenziger and Grottenthaler Lead the Offensive Attack
Freshman Claire Baenziger and sophomore Katie Grottenthaler have catapulted the Penguins offensive attack through the first two games, each scoring nine goals thus far.
They are each tied for fourth in the MAC in goals per game with 3.00.
Bustamante and Flannigan Leading the MAC in Caused Turnovers
Tori Bustamante currently leads the MAC in both caused turnovers (seven) and caused turnovers per game (2.33).
Fellow Penguin Mackenzie Flannigan ranks in a tie for second in the conference in caused turnovers with five.
MAC Weekly Award Selections:
Lena Cox – Co-Offensive Player of the Week (2-18)
Katie Grottenthaler - Co-Offensive Player of the Week (2-11)
Tara McHugh – Defensive Player of the Week (2-11)
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 has appeared in all three games thus far, totaling eight 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 has started both games this season and is currently ranks second on the team and the MAC with five caused turnovers.
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 has made a big impact off the bench for the Penguins through the first three games, as she leads the team and the MAC with seven caused turnovers and is second on the team with five 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 has accumulated four points for the Penguins through the first three games, having scored two goals while also dishing out two assists.
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 start their season with five straight games at home, including the next two games, vs. St. Bonaventure on Feb. 22, and vs. 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 2025 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 whom 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 Friday, Feb. 28, when they welcome Butler to the Watson and Tressel Training Site. The opening draw is set for 6 p.m. The game will be broadcast on the Youngstown State Penguins YouTube page. Fans in attendance will receive a Pete the Penguin Growth Chart, courtesy of State Farm, Compco, and 21WFMJ.
For news and updates throughout the 2025 women's lacrosse season, follow @YSUwlax on X .
