The Youngstown State women's lacrosse team will play their second game of a three-game road stretch on Thursday when they visit Boiling Springs, N.C. for a matchup with Gardner-Webb at Spangler Stadium. The opening draw is set for 3 p.m.
There game will be broadcast on ESPN+.
Last Time Out
The Penguins are coming off their first road victory of the season in their first game away from Youngstown, a 16-10 victory over Wofford on Monday at Gibbs Stadium in Spartanburg, S.C.
The Penguins dominated the time of possession for much of the game, winning the draw control battle 22-7, including a staggering 14 straight spanning from the second quarter to the fourth.
Three different Penguins secured hat tricks during the game, led by Lena Cox and Katie Grottenthaler, who each netted four goals during the game. Cox also added three assists to finish the game with a career-high seven points. Ava Kruzter also netted three goals for YSU.
Grottenthaler added to her four-goal game with a career-high 11 draw controls, spearheading the Penguins offensive attack.
Mackenzie Flannigan helped lead the Penguins defense with a season-high four caused turnovers. Grace Rund and Molly Sheridan each had three ground ball recoveries.
Liz Amos moved to 3-0 on the season in the cage, finishing the game with four saves.
YSU's offense started off hot, scoring four of the game's opening five goals to take a 4-1 first quarter lead, led by Katie Grottenthaler, who scored two goals in the opening frame. Wofford would score two goals in the last 3:09 of the quarter to make the score 4-3 at the end of the opening 15 minutes. This would be the closest that Wofford would get for the rest of the game.
Ava Kreutzer began the second quarter very strong, netting two goals in the opening two minutes of the second quarter, pushing the YSU lead up to 6-3. After a Wofford goal cut the leas to 6-4 with 10:19 remaining in the period, Grottenthaler would net her third goal of the opening half with 6:53 remaining in the quarter to push the lead up to 7-4, which is where it would stand heading into halftime.
The Penguins offensive attack picked up where they left off to begin the second half, as they added three more goals to their lead, two by Lena Cox, and the third goal by Grace Rund, who capped off the 4-0 run spanning from the second quarter with 9:21 left in the third quarter, making the lead 10-4. Wofford put an end to the scoring run with 6:40 remaining in the third quarter, before Genna Cooke answered with a goal of her own with 2:16 left in the third quarter to make the score 11-5, which is where it stood heading into the final quarter.
The fourth quarter was a game of runs, as the Terriers attempted to make a late-game surge. The Penguins scored the first two goals of the quarter, including Lena Cox's fourth of the game with 13:40 remaining to make the lead 13-5, before Wofford scored the next two goals, making the deficit six with 8:42 left. Katie Grottenthaler then pushed the lead back up to seven, tying Cox for a team high as she netted her fourth goal of the game, making it 14-7 with 7:08 remaining in the game. Wofford responded with three goals over a two-minute stretch to make the score 14-10, before the Penguins added the last two goals inside of the last 90 seconds, holding on for a 16-10 win.
About Gardner-Webb
The Runnin' Bulldogs come into Thursday's contest with an 0-6 record, coming off a 16-6 defeat against Mid-American Conference opponent Eastern Michigan on Feb. 27.
Thursday's matchup will be the last game of a five-game homestand for Garder-Webb.
The Runnin' Bulldogs have struggled at the beginning of games this season, having been outscored by a combined total of 63-12 in the first half of their six games.
Looking back at their loss vs. Eastern Michigan on Feb. 27, EMU jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the first quarter and did not look back. The score was 8-2 at halftime, as the Runnin' Bulldogs counted on goals from Ella Grace Bishop and Emma Duchscherer. Duchscherer also added the first two goals of the second half for GWU. They added another goal from Gianna Nardini with 6:50 remaining in the third quarter, cutting the deficit to 9-5, which is the closest that Gardner-Webb would get for the remainder of the game. Eastern Michigan then scored the next seven goals over a span of eight minutes, pushing the lead to 16-5 with 6:06 remaining in the game. Jules Brown of Gardner-Webb scored the game's final goal with 1:43 remaining, making the final score 16-6.
Eastern Michigan had a heavy advantage on draw controls, winning the battle 19-7, including 7-1 in the first quarter. The Runnin' Bulldogs did play a cleaner game offensively, only accumulating 19 turnovers, compared to 22 for EMU.
Emma Duchscherer led the way offensively with three goals and the lone assist of the game. This was her second-consecutive hat trick.
Abby Consaul had a very strong game defensively, totaling four ground balls, as well as four caused turnovers.
Emma Anderson played most of the game in the cage, saving seven shots, while being credited with the loss.
Bulldogs Stat Leaders Through Four Games
Points – Emma Duchscherer (12)
Goals – Emma Duchscherer (10)
Assists – Emma Duchscherer, Jules Brown, Alexa Kleinberger (2)
Ground Balls – Emma Anderson (10)
Caused Turnovers – Abby Consaul (15)
Draw Controls – Emma Duchscherer (10)
Saves Emma Anderson (41)
Series History
This will be the second meeting all-time between the Penguins and the Runnin' Bulldogs.
YSU won the inaugural meeting between the two teams, a 21-18 victory, on Mar. 14, 2023 at the Watson and Tressel Training Site in Youngstown.
The first quarter saw 12 total goals from each time combined, while the fourth quarter saw 11.
Natalie Calandra-Ryan led YSU with seven goals, while Erin Clark scored five goals, and Ally Garrett, a freshman during that season, netted three.
Gardner-Webb was led by Jada Preston, who scored four goals.
A Win Would
- Give YSU a 4-3 overall record, and a 2-0 record on the road this season.
- Be the first time that the Penguins have won two-consecutive road games since 2022, when they won four straight.
- Be YSU's second win over Gardner-Webb in program history.
- Improve YSU's record to 3-2 all-time against members of the Big South Conference.
- Give Head Coach Rob Harris his fourth win at YSU, and his 107th 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 – 70 (1st MAC)
- The Penguins ranked in a tie for seventh nationally in CT/G with 11.67 (latest national rankings on NCAA.com were released prior to YSU's game vs. Wofford on Monday).
Goals Scored – 84 (1st MAC)
Draw Controls – 87 (1st MAC)
Scoring Margin – +2.5 (2nd MAC)
Ground Balls – 115 (2nd MAC)
Cox, Grottenthaler, and Peck Lead the Offensive Attack
Sophomores Lena Cox, Katie Grottenthaler, Brooke Peck have catapulted the Penguins offensive attack through the first six games, with Grottenthaler leading the charge with 17 goals, and Cox and Peck adding 12 goals each.
Grottenthaler currently ranks third in the MAC in both goals and goals per game (3.60), while Cox and Peck rank in a tie for seventh in goals and goals per game (2.20).
Grottenthaler also leads the MAC in draw controls (36).
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 (11) and assists per game (1.83).
A Trio of Guins Rank Atop the MAC in Caused Turnovers
A duo of Penguins sophomores, Tori Bustamante and Mackenzie Flannigan, currently sit in a tie for first in the MAC in caused turnovers (11) and caused turnovers per game (1.83).
Fellow Penguin Molly Sheridan has started off her senior season very strong as she ranks second in the MAC in both caused turnovers (10) and caused turnovers per game (1.67).
Penguins Statistical Leaders
Points:
1. Lena Cox - 23
T-2. Katie Grottenthaler – 19
T-2. Brooke Peck – 13
Goals:
1. Katie Grottenthaler – 17
T-2. Lena Cox – 12
T-2. Brooke Peck – 12
Assists:
1. Lena Cox – 11
2. Mia Yuris – 3
T-3. Katie Grottenthaler – 2
T-3. Sami Drew – 2
T-3. Jacella Nephew - 2
Ground Balls:
T-1. Katie Grottenthaler – 12
T-1. Tori Bustamante – 12
T-1. Molly Sheridan – 12
Caused Turnovers:
T-1. Tori Bustamante – 11
T-1. Mackenzie Flannigan – 11
3. Molly Sheridan – 10
Draw Controls:
1. Katie Grottenthaler – 36
2. Genna Cooke – 18
3. Ava Kreutzer - 13
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 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 six games this season and is currently ranked in a tie for the team lead and MAC-lead in ground balls (12) and caused turnovers (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 six games, as she is currently ranked in a tie for the team lead and MAC-lead in ground balls (12) and caused turnovers (11).
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 six points, having scored three goals while also dishing out three 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, including their second game of the road trip vs. Gardner-Webb on Mar. 6, before wrapping up at 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 2025Â 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 .
