Youngstown State University
George Washington
Penguins Geared Up For Friday Matchup With George Washington
4/3/2025 12:10:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
The Youngstown State women's lacrosse team will travel East for a make-up non-conference matchup with the George Washington Revolutionaries on Friday in Washington, D.C. at the GW Lacrosse Field. The opening draw is set for 1 p.m.
Live stats of the game can be followed along with at YSUSports.com. There will not be a live broadcast of the game.
Last Time Out
The Penguins are coming off their third-straight loss, 16-12 defeat against Robert Morris last Saturday, Mar. 29 at Farmers National Bank Field in Youngstown.
The Penguins had three players score multiple goals, led by Brooke Peck, who tied a season-high with four goals. Grace Rund and Ally Garrett also found the back of the net multiple times, scoring two goals each.
Claire Baenziger, Lena Cox, Katie Grottenthaler, and Ava Kreutzer scored the other four goals on the day for the Penguins.
Cox had a team-high two assists on the day.
Grace Rund set a new career-high with eight draw controls during the game.
Baenziger had a team-high four ground balls, while seven different players caused one turnover.
Brooke Harper played the entire game in the cage, saving 11 shots while allowing 15 goals in 58 minutes. The last goal was allowed in an open-cage situation as the Penguins were attempting a late push.
The first quarter was a back-and-forth battle out of the gates, as YSU got on the board first with 11:57 remaining in the first quarter, courtesy of a Brooke Peck goal. Robert Morris would then answer with two goals of their own in a span of just over a minute, the first coming at the 8:07 mark, followed by the second goal with 6:56 remaining in the opening quarter, giving RMU their first lead of the game at 2-1. The Penguin would then answer with two goals of their own, the first from Grace Rund with 3:46 remaining on the first quarter clock, assisted by Lena Cox, and the second from Claire Baenziger with 2:59 on the clock, giving YSU the lead back at 3-2, which would be the last time that the Penguins would have the lead during the game.
The second quarter turned out to be the major difference during the game, as RMU outscored YSU 7-2 during the frame, compared to the other three quarters, where the combined score was 10-9 in favor of the Penguins.
The Penguins had a strong push to begin the third quarter, scoring the first three goals of the frame to bring the deficit back down to one at 9-8, but the Colonials would score the game's next five goals, extending their lead to 14-8 with 12 minutes remaining in the contest, which was too much for YSU to overcome.
Robert Morris was able to outshoot YSU in each of the first three quarters, holding a 38-23 advantage on shots through the whole 60 minutes.
About George Washington
The Revolutionaries enter Friday's contest with a 6-6 record overall and a 1-5 record in Atlantic 10 Conference play. GW defeated George Mason 15-8 in their last game on Saturday at home, which snapped a five-game losing streak.
George Washington has faced three teams that YSU has also faced this season. The Revolutionaries defeated Robert Morris 9-8 on Feb. 22 and beat Radford, 18-1 on Mar. 1, but lost to Duquesne, 11-10, on Mar. 8.
Looking back at their victory over George Mason last Saturday, the Revolutionaries used a big fourth quarter offensively, outscoring the Patriots 5-1 in the final frame after leading 10-7 heading into it, to win the game 15-8.
GW only trailed for 41 seconds during the game, as George Mason took a 2-1 lead with 9:51 remaining in the opening quarter, before a George Washington goal tied the game at two at the 9:10 mark of the quarter. The Revolutionaries took a 4-3 lead later on with 5:51 remaining in the quarter, which started a three-goal spurt and allowed GW to hold onto the lead for the rest of the game.
With George Washington leading 10-6 in the final minute of the third quarter, George Mason scored with just 20 seconds remaining in the quarter, and then added another goal less than a full minute into the fourth quarter, making the score 10-8 with 14:08 left, but that was as close as they would get down the stretch. George Washington would score the game's final five goals, catapulting them to their 15-8 victory.
The Revolutionaries were led offensively by Grace Curry, who scored a career-high seven goals, the second most scored by a player in a single game in their program's history. Three other players for GW scored two goals on the day.
Four different players caused multiple turnovers, led by Grace Gordon, who caused a team-high four. She was also one of three players on the team to tie for a team-high five ground balls.
Gabi Greth played the entire game in goal, saving 12 shots while only allowing eight goals.
Revolutionaries Stat Leaders Through 12 Games
Points – Grace Curry (35)
Goals – Grace Curry (33)
Assists – Sophia Levine (19)
Ground Balls – Stella Ray (35)
Caused Turnovers – Grace Gordon, Stella Ray (10)
Draw Controls – Stella Ray (56)
Saves – Gabi Greth (101)
Series History
This will be the second meeting all-time between the Penguins and the Revolutionaries, with GW leading the series 1-0. George Washington won the lone meeting all-time last season, a 14-11 victory on Mar. 13, 2024, at Farmers National Bank Field in Youngstown.
Looking back at last year's meeting, both teams used a fair share of runs throughout the game, but George Washington had the game's last push to catapult them to victory. There were five total three-goal runs during the game, with the Revolutionaries going on three of those runs, and YSU two.
The Penguins led 5-2 after the opening quarter, before being outscored 7-3 in the second quarter, as GW took a 9-8 lead into the locker room.
GW scored the first two goals of the third quarter to take an 11-8 lead with 9:02 remaining in the frame. The Revolutionaries were then held scoreless for the next 21 minutes, as YSU used three-consecutive goals, the first by Lena Cox with 4:30 remaining in the third quarter, and the next two coming in the fourth quarter, one by Genna Cooke with 12:36 left, and another from Emma Hoffman with 8:06 left, tying the game at 11.
The Revolutionaries' offense caught life in the final four minutes, utilizing goals from Bailey Aaron, Shea Baggett, and Emma Nowakowski, to win the game 14-11.
A Win Would
- Give YSU a 6-6 overall record, and a 4-1 record at home this season.
- Mark the third time in program history that YSU has won at least six games
- 2022 – 10
- 2023 – 6
- 2025 - 5
- Snap a three-game losing streak
- Be YSU's first win this season vs. a member of the Atlantic 10 Conference and improve their record to 2-6 all-time.
- Be YSU's sixth win this season against a non-conference opponent, which would grow their single-season record of victories against non-MAC opponents that they have set this season
- Give Head Coach Rob Harris his sixth win at YSU, and his 109th career win.
Sheridan Becomes Program Leader in Career Appearances
With her appearance in the last game vs. Robert Morris, Molly Sheridan set a new program record for career games played with 59, breaking the former record of 58 set by Jocelyn Fike, who played at YSU from 2021-24.
Penguins on Fire from the Free Position
Youngstown State has heavily taken advantage of its free position opportunities this season, as it currently ranks fourth in the nation in free position shot percentage at 58.1% (43-for-74). Albany leads the country in that category at 59.4% (19-for-32).
The Penguins rank seventh in the nation in free position goals with 43.
Penguins Rank Highly Across the MAC in Many Categories
Youngstown State has shone across the MAC in many statistical categories through early this season.
Caused Turnovers – 106 (1st MAC)
- The Penguins rank 25th nationally in caused turnovers per game (9.64)
Goals Scored – 149 (1st MAC)
Draw Controls – 151 (2nd MAC)
Grottenthaler Leads the Offensive Attack
Sophomore Katie Grottenthaler has had an exceptional start to her sophomore season, leading the Penguins and ranking third in the MAC with 30 goals through 11 games. She has already eclipsed her goal total from her freshman season when she scored 17 goals in 16 games.
If the season ended today, her 30 goals would already rank seventh in program history in single-season goals.
Grottenthaler also ranks fourth in the MAC in draw controls per game with 4.91, and she is tied for fifth in draw controls with 54.
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 both assists with 20 and assists per game with 1.82.
She recorded two assists last time out vs. Robert Morris, which was the eighth multi-assist game of the season for her.
Cox also ranks third in the MAC in total points with 38, as she has scored 18 goals to go along with her 20 assists.
If the season ended today, her 20 assists would rank fourth in program history in single-season assists.
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 (24) and caused turnovers per game (2.18).
She has five more caused turnovers than the second-highest total in the conference.
Looking at her numbers from a national scale, Bustamante ranks in a tie for 14th in total caused turnovers, and 17th in caused turnovers per game.
She also leads the team in ground balls with 26.
If the season ended today, her 24 caused turnovers would rank in a tie for third in program history in single-season caused turnovers.
Penguins Statistical Leaders
Points:
1. Lena Cox - 38
2. Katie Grottenthaler – 34
3. Brooke – 22
Goals:
1. Katie Grottenthaler – 30
2. Ava Kreutzer – 21
3. Lena Cox – 20
Assists:
1. Lena Cox – 20
2. Mia Yuris – 5
3. Katie Grottenthaler – 4
Ground Balls:
1. Tori Bustamante – 26
2. Katie Grottenthaler – 21
3. Claire Baenziger – 16
Caused Turnovers:
1. Tori Bustamante – 24
2. Mackenzie Flannigan – 13
T-3: Meghan McGrath - 10
T-3. Molly Sheridan – 10
Draw Controls:
1. Katie Grottenthaler – 54
2. Grace Rund – 26
3. Genna Cooke - 22
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 10 games this season, starting seven of them. She currently leads the team with 50 saves, including garnering a season-high 11 saves last game vs. Robert Morris.
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 has appeared in three games this season. She netted her first goal of the season vs. Akron on Mar. 16.
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 11 games this season and currently ranks second on the team in caused turnovers with 13 and she has also scooped up 13 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 major impact for the Penguins through the first 11 games, as she currently leads the MAC with 24 caused turnovers and leads the team in ground balls with 26.
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 10 games thus far this season and has had two multi-goal performances this season. She has accumulated 12 points total, scoring seven goals and dishing out five 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 remain on the road for a matchup with Central Michigan as they resume MAC play on Sunday, Apr. 13, in Mount Pleasant Mich. The opening draw is scheduled for Noon.
For news and updates throughout the 2025 women's lacrosse season, follow @YSUwlax on X .
