Youngstown State University
Eastern Michigan
Penguins Travel to Eastern Michigan For Sunday Afternoon MAC Matchup
3/22/2025 11:49:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse
The Youngstown State women's lacrosse team is set to travel to Ypsilanti, Mich. for their first road Mid-American Conference game of the season on Sunday against Eastern Michigan at Scicluna Field. The opening draw is set for 3 p.m.
Live stats of the game can be followed along with at YSUSports.com. The game will also be broadcast on ESPN+.
Last Time Out
The Penguins are coming off a tough 14-13 loss to Akron in a back-and-forth game to begin MAC play last Sunday inside the Watson and Tressel Training Site in Youngstown.
The scoring was very balanced for the Penguins, as Katie Grottenthaler, Ava Kreutzer, Grace Rund, and Mia Yuris led the way with two goals each. Gwen Bogash, Lena Cox, Ally Garrett, Brooke Peck, and Genna Cooke all found the back of the net once during the game.
Grotttenthaler also had a team-high two assists, giving her four points on the day.
She also led the way in ground balls with three, while Tori Bustamante had four caused turnovers to lead the defense once again.
Liz Amos and Brooke Harper each got plenty of playing time in the cage. Amos, who started the game, played 22 minutes, saving five shots and allowing six goals. Harper played 36 minutes, saving six shots and allowing eight goals.
Akron got off to a very strong start to begin the game scoring the first three goals of the contest, taking a 3-0 lead with 56 seconds remaining in the opening quarter. Mia Yuris brought the YSU offense alive with just one second remaining in the opening period, getting the Penguins on the board.
YSU added two more goals to begin the second quarter, as Brooke Peck began the quarter's scoring just 38 seconds after it began, and Yuris followed with her second goal at the 12:38 mark, tying the game at three. Akron then scored two goals in a span of 49 seconds, giving themselves some cushion with a 5-3 lead with 9:29 remaining in the first half. The majority of the second quarter resulted in the teams trading goals, as Katie Grottenthaler found the back of the net for the first time with 8:12 left in the second quarter, followed by a Zips goal at the 6:30 mark, and then a Lena Cox goal to bring the deficit back to one with 5:26 remaining in the quarter, and then another Akron goal with 2:57 left, pushing their lead to 7-5. YSU kept chipping away, and for the second straight quarter, finished very strong. Grottenthaler netted her second goal of the quarter with 1:27 remaining, and Grace Rund took advantage of YSU being a player-up, tying the game at seven with just 32 seconds remaining to wrap up the first-half scoring.
Ally Garrett gave the Penguins their first lead of the game at 8-7 with a goal at the 12:42 mark of the third quarter. Akron tied the game at eight as Hinchcliffe scored her second goal of the game with 7:16 remaining in the third before Grace Rund scored her second goal of the game just 26 seconds later to put the Penguins back on top at 9-8. That score would stay the same through the rest of the quarter, giving YSU a one-goal lead heading into the final frame.
Akron started the fourth quarter with heavy momentum, as Heather Carey tied the game at nine with 13:26 remaining in the fourth quarter, and Kaitlyn Sikorski gave the Zips the lead at 10-9 with 12:25 remaining in regulation. Genna Cooke found the back of the net for the sixth time of the season to bring the Penguins back even at 10 just 25 seconds later with 11:50 on the clock. The next four minutes were a game of quick runs, as Akron scored two-straight goals to take a 12-10 lead with 9:43 remaining, before being answered by back-to-back goals from the Penguins, the first from Ava Kreutzer at the 8:37 mark, and the second from Gwen Bogash, her first of the season, to tie the game at 12 with 6:42 remaining. Katie Baumer put Akron back ahead at 13-12 with 5:48 on the clock, before Kreutzer scored an incredible behind-the-back goal through contact to tie the game once again at 13 with 2:56 left, the seventh tie of the game. Noelle Boyd scored the eventual game-winning goal with 1:15 remaining, giving Akron a 14-13 victory.
The game was very balanced in most facets, as the Zips just edged out YSU in shots, 33-30.
The Zips did have a heavy control of the draws throughout the game, winning the battle 20-10, including an 8-3 edge in the fourth quarter.
About Eastern Michigan
The Eagles come into Sunday's matchup with a 4-4 record and on a two-game losing streak, having lost their first MAC game in tough fashion just like YSU, coming off a 10-9 defeat to Robert Morris last Sunday.
Looking back at their loss vs. Robert Morris on Sunday, the Eagles led for the majority of the contest, as they only trailed for the final 23 seconds.
EMU scored the game's first five goals, including a 4-0 edge after the first period's completion, with two of the first-quarter goals coming from Mackenzie Blackwell, the conference's leader in goals per game. Robert Morris was held scoreless for the first 22 minutes of action before Gia Anthony snapped their scoreless drought with 6:59 remaining until halftime. That is where the score stood until the break The one goal given up by EMU in the first half was the lowest goal total allowed in the first half of a game in program history.
RMU would outscore the Eagles 2-1 in the third quarter but still trailed 6-3 heading into the final period.
After the Colonials would score the first goal of the fourth quarter to bring the score to 6-4, Eastern Michigan would score the next two goals, the first from Blackwell with 12:09 remaining, her third of the game, and the second from Payton Bloedow with 10:34 left. Robert Morris would then score four goals in a span of just under six minutes, tying the game at eight with 4:03 remaining in the fourth quarter. Bloedow would score her second goal of the game with 2:29 remaining to regain the lead for EMU, before RMU would tie the game with 40 second remaining, and then take the lead with just 23 seconds left, winning the game 10-9.
EMU was outscored 7-3 in the fourth quarter of the game.
Blackwell had a team-high three goals, notching her seventh hat trick in eight games played this season.
Maddie Porter had an outstanding game in the cage for the Eagles, totaling 13 saves, seven ground balls, and three caused turnovers. Her 13 saves were the most an EMU goalkeeper has ever had vs. a MAC opponent.
RMU won the draw control battle 15-8, including a 9-2 edge in the fourth quarter.
Eagles Stat Leaders Through Five Games
Points – Mackenzie Blackwell (31)
Goals – Mackenzie Blackwell (28)
Assists – Avery Schwab (9)
Ground Balls – Maddie Porter (32)
Caused Turnovers – Annika Wozney (8)
Draw Controls – Emerson Henry (43)
Saves – Maddie Porter (89)
Series History
This will be the third meeting all-time between the Penguins and the Eagles, with the series tied 1-1. Both of the first two meetings were played at Farmers National Bank Field in Youngstown.
Eastern Michigan won the lone meeting last season between the two teams, 18-11, on Apr. 21 at Farmers National Bank Field.
The Penguins would have a very strong start to the game, leading 4-2 at the end of the opening period. The Eagles would then outscore YSU 16-7 over the next three quarters, utilizing a 4-0 run and a 5-0 run during that stretch to help bolster their lead.
Sydney Lawrence led EMU with an astonishing eight goals, while three different Penguins scored two goals, including Katie Grottenthaler and Grace Rund.
The Eagles dominated the draw control battle 24-7, including a 16-2 edge in the second half.
YSU's lone victory of the series was a 17-15 triumph of the Eagles on Apr. 8, 2023.
A Win Would
- Give YSU a 6-4 overall record, and a 4-0 record on the road this season.
- Be YSU's first win this season vs. a member of the Mid-American Conference
- Be YSU's third win in their road conference opener (won their first road game vs. MAC opponents in 2022 and 2023)
- Be YSU's second win over Eastern Michigan in program history.
- Give Head Coach Rob Harris his sixth win at YSU, and his 109th career win.
Battle Between Two of the Top Scorers in the MAC
Sunday's matchup will feature two of the top goal scorers in the MAC this season, Mackenzie Blackwell of Eastern Michigan, and Katie Grottenthaler of Youngstown State.
Blackwell currently leads the conference in goals per game with 3.50, while Grottenthaler ranks third in the conference in that category (3.11).
Both Blackwell and Grottenthaler have netted 28 goals each, which ranks them in a tie for second place in the conference in that category, only trailing Sienna Hinchliffe of Akron, who has scored 32 goals through her team's 10 games.
Blackwell has secured at least a hat trick in seven games on the season, while Grottenthaler has had at least a hat trick in six. She had her four-game hat trick streak snapped last time out vs. Akron, as she only had two goals.
Penguins on Fire from the Free Position
Youngstown State has heavily taken advantage of their free position opportunities this season, as they currently rank second in the nation in free position shot percentage at 60.9% (39-for-64), only trailing Colgate, who leads at 61.0% (25-for-41).
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 – 87 (1st MAC)
Goals Scored – 131 (1st MAC)
- The Penguins rank 19th nationally in goals per game (14.56)
Draw Controls – 133 (2nd MAC)
Scoring Margin – +3.6 (1st MAC)
Grottenthaler Leads the Offensive Attack
Sophomore Katie Grottenthaler has had an exceptional start to her sophomore season, leading the Penguins and ranking in a tie for second in the MAC with 28 goals through nine games. She has already eclipsed her goal total from her freshman season when she scored 17 goals in 16 games.
She has notched at least a hat trick in six of the team's nine games and scored 13 goals in the three YSU games two weeks ago, all of which were on the road, which helped propel her to her second MAC Offensive Player of the Week honor this season.
If the season ended today, her 28 goals would already rank eighth in program history in single-season goals.
Grottenthaler also ranks third in the MAC in draw controls with 49.
Cox's Field Vision is Superb
Sophomore Lena Cox has done an exceptional job setting up goals this season for the Penguins, as she is tied for the MAC lead in assists with 16, and ranks second in the conference in assists per game (1.78).
She has tied her career-high with three assists in three of the last five games.
Last game vs. Akron was just the second time this season that she has gone without an assist, and the first time since the season-opener vs. Lindenwood on Feb. 7.
Bustamante Spearheads the Defense
Sophomore Tori Bustamante has had an exceptional first season in Youngstown after transferring from Molloy University, as she currently leads the MAC in both caused turnovers (19) and caused turnovers per game (2.11).
She has had at least three caused turnovers four times this season, including last game against Akron where she tied a season-high with four caused turnovers.
She is also tied for the team lead in ground balls with 19.
Penguins Statistical Leaders
Points:
1. Lena Cox - 33
2. Katie Grottenthaler – 32
3. Brooke Peck – 18
Goals:
1. Katie Grottenthaler – 28
T-2. Lena Cox – 17
T-2. Ava Kreutzer – 17
3. Brooke Peck - 16
Assists:
1. Lena Cox – 16
T-2. Mia Yuris – 4
T-2. Katie Grottenthaler – 4
T-3. Brooke Peck - 2
T-3. Sami Drew – 2
T-3. Jacella Nephew - 2
Ground Balls:
T-1. Tori Bustamante – 19
T-1. Katie Grottenthaler – 19
3. Molly Sheridan – 13
Caused Turnovers:
1. Tori Bustamante – 19
2. Mackenzie Flannigan – 12
3. Molly Sheridan – 10
Draw Controls:
1. Katie Grottenthaler – 49
2. Genna Cooke – 21
3. Ava Kreutzer - 19
MAC Weekly Award Selections:
Katie Grottenthaler, Offensive Player of the Week (3-11)
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 eight games thus far, starting five of them. She currently leads the team with 35 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.
She made her second appearance of the season last game vs. Akron, netting her first goal of the season.
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 nine games this season and currently ranks second on the team in caused turnovers with 12, and in a tie for fifth on the team in ground balls with 11.
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 for the Penguins through the first nine games, as she has made four starts, currently leads the MAC with 19 caused turnovers, and is tied for the team lead in ground balls with 19.
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 eight games thus far this season and has had the hot stick as of late offensively, having scored two goals in each of the last two games, which is a season-high for her. She has accumulated 11 points on the season, scoring seven goals and dishing out four assists.
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 at home under the lights next Saturday as they will play host to the Robert Morris Colonials at 6 p.m. in what is scheduled to be their first home game this season outdoors at Farmers National Bank Field.
Fans in attendance will receive a YSU key chain, courtesy of Key Kutterz. Also, the first 50 YSU students in attendance will receive a free Chick Fil A sandwich.
For news and updates throughout the 2025 women's lacrosse season, follow @YSUwlax on X .
