The Youngstown State women's lacrosse team officially takes the road for the first time during the 2025 season when they travel to Spartanburg, S.C. for a matchup with the Wofford Terriers on Monday afternoon at Gibbs Stadium. The opening draw is scheduled for 4 p.m.

The Penguins were initially supposed to travel to George Washington for a matchup with the Revolutionaries on Feb. 12 until the game was postponed due to inclement weather in the Washington D.C. area. YSU was then scheduled to play at Saint Francis on Feb. 15, until the game was moved to Feb. 16, and played in Youngstown, due to inclement weather in the Loretto, PA. area.

The game will also be broadcast live on ESPN+.

Last Time Out

The Penguins are coming off a 15-10 victory over Butler on Friday at the Waston and Tressel Training Site.

The Penguins used a second-half surge to claim victory, outscoring Butler 8-0 in the fourth quarter, and 12-2 in the second half altogether.

The two teams traded goals early on in the contest, as Ally Garrett put the Penguins on top with 12:38 remaining in the first quarter, and then after a quick Butler answer, Genna Cooke put YSU back on top once again with 8:04 remaining in the opening quarter.

Butler then went on a furious run, scoring the game's next six goals, with the last coming with 3:37 left until halftime, giving the Bulldogs a 7-2 lead. Sami Drew snapped YSU's scoring drought of over 20 minutes with 2:54 remaining in the second quarter, but a Butler goal with just 22 seconds remaining in the quarter gave them an 8-3 lead heading into the break.

YSU found their offensive rhythm coming out of halftime, scoring two goals within the first five minutes of the third quarter, both a player up, courtesy of Ava Kreutzer and Grace Rund, to make the score 8-5. The two teams then traded goals over a two-minute stretch, as Matye Riley extended Butler's lead with 5:51 remaining in the third quarter, before Ally Garrett brought the Penguins back within three goals with 4:38 remaining, before being quickly answered by the Bulldogs just 60 seconds later, pushing the lead to 10-6. That would be the last goal that Buter would score.

YSU would finish the third quarter strong with a Sami Drew goal with just 14 seconds left in the quarter, making the deficit just three goals once again for YSU heading into the final 15 minutes.

The fourth quarter was one to remember for YSU, as the Penguins would outscore the Bulldogs 8-0 on their way to a 15-10 victory. The eight goals scored in the quarter tied a program-record for the most goals scored in a singe quarter in program history. The fourth quarter saw three goals from Katie Grottenthaler, two goals from Brooke Peck, and one goal from Kreutzer, Rund, and Lena Cox.

Grottenthaler led the way for the Penguins at game's end with her three goals, while five Penguins added two goals (Drew, Kreutzer, Rund, Garrett, and Peck).

Lena Cox added a career-high three assists to her fourth-quarter goal, finishing the game with a team-high four points.

Molly Sheridan shined defensively for the Penguins, securing new season-highs in ground balls and caused turnovers with three each. Tori Bustamante and Ava Kreutzer also had three ground balls each.

Katie Grottenthaler was phenomenal on draws, controlling a team-high seven.

Liz Amos checked in to the game at goalkeeper halfway through the second quarter and finished with two saves while only allowing four goals over 37:26.

About Wofford

The Terriers come into the matchup with a record of 1-3, coming off their first win of the season, a thrilling 11-10 win over Campbell in overtime last Wednesday.

In their victory over Campbell, the Terriers needed a late fourth-quarter rally in the final minutes to send the game to overtime.

After giving up the initial three goals of the fourth quarter to Campbell, the third coming with 2:28 remaining to give the Fighting Camels a 10-8 lead. Wofford never quit, striking with a goal from Bria Foley with 1:18 remaining in the fourth quarter, and scoring once again with just 17 seconds remaining in regulation as Emma Stalteri found the back of the net, sending the game to OT. Foley scored the game-winning goal with 3:21 left in the overtime period, giving Wofford an 11-10 victory, their first of the season.

Foleuy and Stalteri each netted a game-high three goals.

Olivia Graebner led the way defensively for Wofford with five caused turnovers and three ground balls.

Ella Smithers earned the win in the cage with 12 saves.

Bulldogs Stat Leaders Through Four Games

Points – Bria Foley (20)

Goals – Bria Foley (13)

Assists – Bria Foley (7)

Ground Balls – Barrett Rowe (15)

Caused Turnovers – Olivia Graebner (7)

Draw Controls – Vivian Chiomento (19)

Saves – Ella Smithers (35)

Series History

This will be the first meeting all-time between the Penguins and the Terriers.

A Win Would

• Give YSU a 3-3 overall record, and a 1-0 record on the road this season.
• Be YSU's first win over Wofford in program history.
• Improve YSU's record to 2-2 all-time against members of the Big South Conference.
• Give Head Coach Rob Harris his third win at YSU, and his 106th career win.

Penguins Rank Highly Across the MAC in Many Categories

Youngstown State has shined across the MAC in many statistical categories through early this season.

Caused Turnovers – 58 (1st MAC)

• The Penguins rank 13th nationally in CT/G with 11.50 (latest national rankings on NCAA.com were released prior to YSU's game vs. Butler last Friday).

Goals Scored – 68 (1st MAC)

Scoring Margin – +1.8 (2nd MAC)

Ground Balls – 95 (2nd MAC)

Baenziger, Cox, Grottenthaler, and Peck Lead the Offensive Attack

Freshman Claire Baenziger and sophomores Katie Grottenthaler and Brooke Peck have catapulted the Penguins offensive attack through the first five games, with Grottenthaler leading the charge with 13 goals, and Baenziger and Peck adding 11 goals each.

Grottenthaler currently ranks in a tie for third in the MAC in goals per game (2.60), while Baenziger and Peck rank in a tie for fifth (2.20).

Grottenthaler also ranks second in the MAC in draw controls (25).

Lena Cox has done an exceptional job setting up goals this season for the Penguins, as she ranks second in the MAC in both assists (eight) and assists per game (1.60).

A Duo of Guins Ranks Towards the Top in the MAC in Caused Turnovers

Tori Bustamante is tied for the lead in the MAC in caused turnovers (nine) and ranks second in caused turnovers per game (1.80).

Fellow Penguin Molly Sheridan ranks third in the MAC in both caused turnovers (eight) and caused turnovers per game (1.60).

Penguins Statistical Leaders

Points:

1. Lena Cox - 16

2. Katie Grottenthaler – 14

3. Brooke Peck – 12

Goals:

1. Katie Grottenthaler – 13

T-2. Claire Baenziger – 11

T-2. Brooke Peck – 11

Assists:

1. Lena Cox – 8

T-2. Sami Drew – 2

T-2. Mia Yuris – 2

T-2. Jacella Nephew - 2

Ground Balls:

T-1. Katie Grottenthaler – 10

T-1. Tori Bustamante – 10

T-3. Genna Cooke – 9

T-3. Molly Sheridan - 9

Caused Turnovers:

1. Tori Bustamante – 9

2. Molly Sheridan – 8

T-3. Mackenzie Flannigan – 7

T-3. Katie Grottenthaler - 7

Draw Controls:

1. Katie Grottenthaler – 25

2. Genna Cooke – 15

3. Ava Kreutzer - 10

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 five games thus far, starting four of them. She currently leads the Guins with 16 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 in all five games this season and is currently ranked in a tie for third on the team with seven caused turnovers, while also corralling seven ground balls.

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 five games, as she leads the team and is tied for the lead in the MAC in caused turnovers (nine) and ranks second in the MAC caused turnovers per game (1.80). She is also tied for the team lea din ground balls (10).

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 appeared in four games thus far this season, accumulating five points, having scored three 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 started their season with five straight games at home. The Penguins will now wrap up nonconference play with three-straight games on the road against Big South opponents, 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  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 remain in the Carolinas as they return to action on Thursday for a matchup with another Big South opponent, this time traveling to Boiling Springs, N.C. to face Gardner-Webb. The opening draw is scheduled for 3 p.m.

For news and updates throughout the 2025 women's lacrosse season, follow @YSUwlax on X .