The Youngstown State Women's Lacrosse program will wrap up its season-opening three-game homestand this Sunday when it welcomes the George Mason Patriots to the Watson and Tressel Training Site. The opening draw is set for noon. The game will be broadcast on the Youngstown State Penguins YouTube channel.
Last Time Out
The Penguins dropped a hard-fought contest to Old Dominion last Sunday, 14-12, inside WATTS, pushing their record to 0-2.
Claire Baenziger led the way for YSU as she tied a career-high with four goals. Ava Kreutzer also notched a hat trick as she scored three goals.
After trailing 10-4 in the early stages of the third quarter, the Penguins mounted a comeback attempt, netting five-consecutive goals to end the quarter to cut the deficit down to just one heading into the final frame. Five different players scored during the run for YSU.
The Monarchs found their stride once again as the fourth quarter began, scoring the first three goals of the quarter to push their lead back up to four at 13-9. The teams traded goals down the stretch, and it was too little too late for the Penguins, falling 14-12.
By The Numbers
- Claire Baenziger and Ava Kreutzer have combined for 10 of YSU's 18 goals across the first two games of the season. Baenziger leads the way with six goals, while Kreutzer has netted four.
- Out of the 18 goals scored by the Penguins to begin the campaign, only six of the goals have come off assists. Gwen Bogash is the lone Penguin with more than one assist thus far, as she leads the team with two.
- The Penguins have shot just 45% (5-for-11) on free-position attempts.
- Mackenzie Flannigan has played a crucial role defensively during the early stages of her junior campaign, leading YSU in caused turnovers (four) and ground balls (three). Her three CT in the season-opening game vs. Bucknell on Feb. 6 tied her second-highest total as a Penguin in a single game.
- Brooke Harper has played all 120 minutes in the cage thus far for YSU. She has saved 13 shots, including a season-high eight vs. Bucknell on Feb. 6.
Strong First Weekend for CB
Claire Baenziger started her sophomore season strongly last weekend, netting six goals over two games. Her performance vs. Old Dominion last Sunday was especially impressive, as she totaled four goals, which matched a career-high.
She also controlled 13 of YSU's 27 draw controls last weekend, which already eclipsed her 2025 total of eight. Her eight draw controls against Bucknell in the season-opener on Feb. 6 marked a new career-high.
Previewing George Mason
The Patriots come into Sunday's matchup also with a record of 0-2, having dropped two close games to begin the season.
During their last matchup on Monday, GMU took a 5-2 lead into halftime, before being outscored by LIU 7-1 during the second half, falling 9-6. Kate Anders led the Patriots with four goals during the contest.
GMU's first game of the season was against a familiar foe of Youngstown State's, as they fell to MAC member Robert Morris, 11-10, in overtime on Feb. 6. The Patriots found themselves trailing 10-8 in the final 7:30 of regulation before two goals from Kate Anders tied the game, sending it to overtime.
Anders has a team-high seven goals through the first two games of the season. She is followed by Delaney Stup, who has netted four.
Defensively, Kaitlyn Bestick has caused a team-leading three turnovers, and she is tied with Anders for the team lead with four ground balls recovered.
Kaitlyn's sister, Regan Bestick, appeared in all 122 minutes in the cage over the first two games, saving 12 shots.
Series History vs. GMU
This will be the first meeting between YSU and George Mason. The Penguins are 1-7 all-time against members of the Atlantic 10 Conference, with their lone win coming on Feb. 11, 2022, a season-opening 18-7 victory over St. Bonaventure inside WATTS.
A Win vs. George Mason Would…
- Be YSU's first win in program history vs. George Mason
- Be Head Coach Liza Oakley's first win at YSU
- Be YSU's second win vs. a member of the Atlantic 10 Conference
Oakley Takes Over as Fifth Head Coach in Program History
Liza Oakley was officially named the fifth Youngstown State Women's Lacrosse Head Coach in program history on July 9, 2025.
A native of West Hartford, Conn., Oakley spent the past three seasons as the top assistant at Bucknell. Oakley, formerly a standout defender at Mount St. Mary's, had previous coaching stops at Butler, Fresno State, and Lynchburg (Va.).
At Bucknell, Oakley served as the team's recruiting coordinator and defensive coordinator, among other duties, during her three seasons under Head Coach Jackie Dando.
Oakley was a four-year letterwinner as a defender and a three-time Northeast Conference All-Academic selection at Mount St. Mary's. As a senior in 2018, she helped her team rank third in Division I in scoring defense with the Mountaineers.
Baenziger and McGrath Return After Stellar Freshman Campaigns
Youngstown State is pleased to return a duo of 2025 MAC All-Freshman Team selections, Claire Baenziger and Meghan McGrath, for their sophomore seasons.
Baenziger ranked fifth on the Penguins in ground balls last season with 20, and she was also sixth on the team in goals with 17. She corralled at least three ground balls three times, including a season-high four ground balls vs. Robert Morris on Mar. 29, 2025.
McGrath started in all 15 games for YSU during her freshman season on defense, ranking in a tie for fifth on the team with 12 caused turnovers, while also scooping 14 ground balls.
Kreutzer Looks to Spearhead Offense in 2026
Attacker Ava Kreutzer returns for her third season with the Penguins in 2026.
She ranked second on the team in 2025 with 27 goals, while also ranking fourth on the team in total points with 28. Kreutzer had nine multi-goal outings, including a stretch of seven consecutive games from Feb. 22-Mar. 23, 2025. She netted a season-high three goals on four separate occasions.
Flannigan Building off Strong Sophomore Season
Mackenzie Flannigan opened eyes defensively last season in her first year with the Penguins after transferring from fellow MAC foe Kent State.
She ranked second on the team in both ground balls with 27 and caused turnovers with 22. Her 1.47 CT/G ranked fifth in the MAC, while her 22 total CT placed her in a tie for seventh in the conference.
Penguins Name Four Team Captains
Youngstown State Head Coach Liza Oakley dubbed Brooke Harper, Ava Kreutzer, Skylar Pigrom, and Mia Stahl as team captains ahead of the 2026 season.
Harper started 10 games in the cage last season, going 4-6 in her starts with a team-high 69 saves.
Kreutzer appeared in all 15 games in 2025, starting in 11. She totaled 28 points during the season with 27 goals and one assist. She also controlled 23 draws for the Penguins.
Pigrom appeared in 10 games defensively, corralling five ground balls and causing two turnovers.
Stahl was one of four players to start in all 15 games, controlling 12 draws and scooping nine ground balls.
Good Balance of Returners and Fresh Faces
The 2026 YSU roster will consist of 13 newcomers to combine with 19 returners from last season's bunch.
The coaching staff brought in 12 true freshmen, while also snagging Alyssa Edwards, a redshirt-sophomore goalkeeper who transferred from Towson.
New York State of Mind
This season's roster features a vast number of players from the state of New York. 39% of the Penguins' squad comes from The Empire State, or 13 out of 33 players.
'Guins Slated Seventh in the MAC Preseason Poll
Youngstown State was picked seventh in the 2026Â Mid-American Conference (MAC) Preseason Coaches Poll, the league announced on Feb. 4.
2026 MAC Women's Lacrosse Preseason Coaches Poll
(First Place Votes)
1. UMass (6)- 48 points
T2. Akron- 37 points
T2. Eastern Michigan (1)- 37 points
4. Robert Morris (1)- 34 points
5. Central Michigan- 28 points
6. Kent State- 19 points
7. Youngstown State- 12 points
8. Detroit Mercy- 9 points
Tournament Champion: UMass – 6; Eastern Michigan – 1; Robert Morris – 1
Up Next
The Penguins will travel to New Jersey next Sunday for their first road game of the season, taking on Monmouth on Feb. 22. The opening draw is scheduled for noon.
For news and updates throughout the 2026 women's lacrosse season, follow @YSUwlax on X.
