Youngstown, Ohio – The Youngstown State women's lacrosse team dropped its Mid-American Conference opener to UMass in the first meeting between the schools as conference foes on Saturday afternoon at Farmers National Bank Field.
The Penguins fell to 0-7 (0-1) on the season with the loss, while UMass moved to 6-2 (1-0).
Claire Baenziger led the Penguins with two goals, marking her second-straight multi-goal performance. Ally Garrett netted the other goal for YSU.
Mackenzie Flannigan led the 'Guins defensively, controlling a team-high five draws while also tying for the team lead with three ground balls. Genna Cooke had a team-high two caused turnovers.
Alyssa Edwards started in the cage today for the 'Guins and notched a season-high nine saves.
The Minutewomen jumped on YSU early and did not look back, scoring the game's opening goal just 47 seconds into the contest and leading for the final 59:13. After trailing 2-0, Ally Garrett got YSU on the board at the 11:39 mark of the first quarter to cut the lead in half. UMass would score the final four goals of the first quarter and the first goal of the second quarter to stretch the lead to 7-1 before Claire Baenziger took advantage of YSU playing three players up, scoring her first goal at the 11:55 mark of the second quarter. Like the first quarter, the Minutewomen would score the final four goals of the second period to take an 11-2 lead into the locker room at halftime.
UMass began the third quarter right where they left off, scoring six more goals and capping off a 10-0 run to push its lead to 17-2 with 2:53 remaining in the third quarter. Claire Baenziger would snap a scoring drought of over 30 minutes for YSU as she found the back of the cage with 11:41 left in the contest, marking YSU's final goal of the game. UMass would tack on four more goals, winning by a score of 21-3.
YSU had an advantage controlling draws in the first half, 10-6, before UMass would flip the script in the second half, controlling 10 of 12 draws. The Minutewomen outshot YSU, 42-12, including a 27-5 advantage in the first half.
The Penguins will return to action on Thursday, Mar. 19, when they begin a three-game road trip at Robert Morris. The opening draw is scheduled for 5 p.m.
For news and updates throughout the 2026 women's lacrosse season, follow @YSUwlax on X.
