Ypsilanti, Mich. - The Youngstown State women's lacrosse team dropped their second-straight Mid-American Conference matchup to Eastern Michigan by a score of 19-6 on a chilly afternoon at Scicluna Field.
Ava Kreutzer was the lone Penguin to score multiple goals as she led the way with three. This was her second hat trick of the season and seventh-straight game with multiple goals.
Lena Cox had a team-high two assists, both of which set up Kreutzer goals.
Tori Bustamante set a new season-high with six ground balls while also tying a season-high with four caused turnovers.
The Penguins got off to a very quick start to begin the contest, as after controlling the opening draw, YSU moved right down the field and capitalized the possession with a Grace Rund goal, her 10th of the season. The Eagles then started a stronghold of draw controls for the majority of the contest, and they netted the next three goals, taking a 3-1 advantage with 4:45 remaining in the first quarter. Ava Kreutzer put an end to a scoreless spell of over 11 minutes for the Penguins, cutting the lead in half with 2:52 remaining in the quarter off an assist from Lena Cox. EMU would score the final goal of the quarter just 51 seconds later, holding a 4-2 lead after 15 minutes of action. Even while trailing, YSU fired off more shots in the quarter, holding a 9-8 edge in that category.
The Eagles offense picked up where they left off to begin the second quarter, adding the first three goals within the first four minutes of the quarter, taking a 7-2 lead at the 11:36 mark. The first two goals of the run for the Eagles were scored by Katheryn Wilson, who had four goals in the first half. Kreutzer scored her second goal of the contest at the 10:32 mark off another strong pass from Cox to set up the opportunity. The teams then traded goals over the next five minutes, scoring two goals each. Tracy Grollman pushed the lead back up to five at the 10:04 mark, Katie Grottenthaler scored her team-leading 29th goal of the season at the 8:48 mark, Roya Khaleeli extended EMU's lead back up to five as she found the back of the net at the 7:50 mark, and Genna Cooke continued the fight for the Penguins as she scored with 5:10 remaining as YSU tried to keep up with the Eagles offensively. Eastern Michigan would score two more goals in the final three minutes of the second quarter, giving them an 11-5 lead heading into the halftime intermission. The Eagles outshot YSU 12-7 in the second quarter and held a strong advantage in draw controls at a 10-1 mark during the second quarter.
Grollman began the second half scoring as she found the back of the net just 40 seconds into the third quarter, extending the lead to seven at the 14:20 mark for EMU. Ava Kreutzer secured her hat trick with her third goal of the day as she brought the score to 12-6 shortly later at the 13:09 mark of the quarter after a clean pass from Mia Yuris set her up in front of the goal. That would be the last goal that the Penguins would score, as EMU would add goals with 9:48 and 4:22 remaining in the quarter to take a 14-6 lead through 45 minutes of action.
The Eagles added five more goals in the fourth quarter to secure a 19-6 victory.
YSU finished the game with 26 shots, 14 of which came on goal, compared to 34 shots and 26 coming on goal for the Eagles.
Eastern Michigan won the draw control battle overall, 23-5.
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 outdoor home game this season 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 .
