Opening Kick
• The Youngstown State women's soccer team continues its nine-day road trip when it visits No. 25 Texas Tech, Sunday, Aug. 17.
• Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. at the John Walker Soccer Complex and the game will be aired on ESPN+.

The Matchup
• This is the first meeting between Youngstown State and Texas Tech.
• In fact, this is the first time Youngstown State has squared off against the Red Raiders in any team sport.

Penguins vs. Big XII
• The Penguins' matchup against the Red Raiders will be their sixth time YSU has faced a current member of the Big 12 Conference 
•Youngstown State owns a record of 0-5 in games against those opponents. 
• YSU is 0-1 vs. Arizona (2002), 0-1 against Cincinnati (2016), 0-1 vs. Iowa State (2004), and 0-2 against West Virginia (1996 and 1997).
• However, only Iowa State was a member of the Big 12 at the time it faced the Penguins.   

Up Next
• The Penguins continue their season-opening road trip in Columbia, Missouri, when they take on SEC member Missouri, Wednesday, Aug. 20. 
• Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. at the Audrey J. Walton Soccer Stadium, and the game will be aired on ESPN+.

Last Time Out
• The Penguins dropped their 2025 season opener to Indiana, 6-1, on Thursday, Aug. 14. Freshman Baylee Williams scored her first career goal to lead the Penguins. 

Big Debut
• A pair of Youngstown State freshman scored their first career points in their first collegiate game against Indiana. 
• Freshman Baylee Williams notched her first career goal, and she was assisted by redshirt freshman Leah Weiland for her first career assist.

Guins vs. Ranked Opponents
• This is just the fourth time Youngstown State has faced a nationally-ranked opponent and the first time since 2011.
• The Penguins are 0-3 in those matchups.
• The last time Youngstown State faced a ranked foe was in 2011 when it faced No. 12 Milwaukee on Oct. 9 and lost 3-0.

Top Scorers Return
• One of the top advantages for Youngstown State entering the season is the Penguins' top four scorers from the 2024 season return. 
• Senior forwards Taylor Berry, and Chloe Weiland, and sophomore striker Sara Felder and senior defender Emma Rigone are all back for YSU.
• Berry, who ranks 10th all-time with 27 career points, led the Penguins with nine points after scoring a pair of goals and dishing out five assists. 
• Her assists were the most in a season since Ernestina Abambila had eight in 2016.
•Weiland, who has scored seven goals in the last two seasons, posted three goals and added an assist for seven points. 
• Felder, who was named to the Horizon League All-Freshman Team, also scored three goals for the Penguins.
• Rigone, a defender, notched two goals and added two assists for six points.

Defend the Net
• Another important piece back for the Penguins is the return of sophomore Maya Naimoli in the net. 
• Naimoli, a Horizon League All-Freshman Team selection, was a two-time Horizon League Defensive Player of the Week selection.
• She tallied five wins, three shutouts, 96 saves, 1.72 goals-against average, and a .756 save percentage during her rookie campaign.

More Scoring Threats
• The Penguins also return a few more scoring threats in 2025.
• Sophomore Teagan Wahle scored a goal and added an assist for three points, while junior defender Eva Sunjevaric and sophomore Kate Makkas were both credited with two assists.

Felder, Naimoli Earned Accolades
• Forward Sara Felder and goalkeeper Maya Naimoli were both named to the Horizon League All-Freshman Team in 2024. 
• Felder tied for the team lead with three goals while Naimoli posted three shutouts and 96 saves.

Weiland Impressive
• Senior Chloe Weiland has been the Penguins top goal scorer over the last two seasons.
• The Butler, Pa., native posted three goals in 2024 and led the Penguins with four scores during the 2023 season.
• She has a total of seven goals during her career.