Youngstown, Ohio - The Youngstown State women's lacrosse team kicked off their 2025 campaign on Friday night as they welcomed Lindenwood inside the Watson and Tressel Training Site, falling 14-13 to the Lions in overtime.
The Penguins were led offensively by sophomores Katie Grottenthaler and Brooke Peck, who scored four goals each, both setting new career highs. Freshman Claire Baenziger started her collegiate career impressively, netting three goals. Lena Cox and Mia Yuris each added goals for the Penguins as well.
Sami Drew and Yuris added the two lone assists for the Penguins during the evening.
In the cage, junior Brooke Harper collected seven saves in her Youngstown State debut.
Luci Selander led Lindenwood with six goals and three assists, while Alissa DiGiacinto scored four goals, Reese Krieger added three, and Claire Blue and Emma Walsh each scored one goal for the Lions.
The Penguins got out to a red-hot start, leading 6-2 after the first quarter. Grottenthaler netted the first goal of the season with 13:11 remaining in the quarter and she was followed up by Peck who found the back of the net with 9:53 remaining to give YSU a quick 2-0 lead. After Lindenwood scored a goal to cut the deficit in half, the Penguins strung off four of the next five goals to end the quarter, as Baenziger, Peck, and Cox each scored within a three-minute stretch to make the score 5-1, and Grottenthaler scored the final score of the first quarter with 37 seconds remaining in the period to give the Penguins a 6-2 lead at the end of the quarter.
Brooke Peck netted her third goal of the night to push the lead out to 7-2 just 39 seconds into the second period. The goal was assisted by Mia Yuris. Luci Selander of Lindenwood scored her second goal with 11:50 left in the second quarter to cut the lead to 7-3, before being answered quickly by Yuris who netted her lone goal of the evening with 10:21 left in the second quarter to put the Penguins back up by five goals. Lindenwood scored the final four goals of the second quarter to cut the Penguins lead to one as they led 8-7 at half.
The second half was a game of runs, as Peck scored her fourth goal of the game with 11:49 left in the third quarter to make the score 9-7, Grottenthaler added her third goal just 47 seconds later to make the lead 10-7, and Baenziger scored her second goal with 7:45 left in the quarter to give YSU an 11-7 lead. Lindenwood then responded with the last goal of the third quarter and first two goals of the fourth to make the score 11-10 with 8:49 remaining in regulation.
Baenziger scored her third goal of the night with 7:26 remaining in the fourth quarter and Grottenthaler set a new career-high with her fourth goal with 6:25 remaining to give YSU a 13-10 lead, but it would be the last time the Penguins would find the back of the net. Lindenwood would score the final three goals of the fourth quarter, including the game-tying goal with 2:24 remaining, to send the game to overtime. This would be the first time that YSU has played an overtime game since Apr. 16, 2022, vs. Detroit Mercy.
The Lions would control the opening draw to begin the overtime period and net the game-winning goal just 10 seconds into overtime, winning the game 14-13.
Lindenwood won the draw-control advantage 20-11, while YSU outshot the Lions 30-29.
YSU will return to action next Wednesday, Feb. 12, when they travel to the nation's capital for a meeting with George Washington. First draw is set for 1 p.m., and the game will be broadcast on ESPN+.
