Moon Township, Pa. – Defense was the name of the game as the Youngstown State women's lacrosse team earned its first win of the Liza Oakley tenure over Robert Morris, 5-4, Thursday afternoon at Joe Walton Stadium.
The Penguins move to 1-7 (1-1) on the season, while RMU falls to 3-6 (1-1).
Four different Penguins found the back of the cage offensively, led by Claire Baenziger, who netted two goals. This marked the third-straight game that she scored multiple goals, and the sixth time this season. The Penguins were also propelled by goals from Molly Brooks, Ava Kreutzer, and Lilly Mattucci.
Brooks, Gwen Bogash, and Alexis Kreutzer each dished out assists for the 'Guins.
The Penguins collectively set a program record for ground balls in a game with 41, breaking the previous record of 30 set against Akron on Apr. 9, 2022. Mackenzie Flannigan had a monster game defensively, setting a new career-high with seven ground balls while also tying her career-high in caused turnovers with four. Overall, four different Penguins scooped at least four ground balls, while nine 'Guins caused at least one turnover.
Alyssa Edwards was stellar in the cage, saving five shots while only allowing four goals in a full 60 minutes of action. The four goals allowed today are the fewest that YSU has ever allowed in a single game, breaking the previous record of five, allowed vs. Akron on Apr. 15, 2023.
Claire Baenziger wasted little time giving the Penguins the early advantage, netting the game's opening goal off a feed from Molly Brooks just 71 seconds into the contest. After the Colonials drew even with just under three minutes left in the first quarter, Baenziger answered with her second goal with 48 seconds remaining, giving YSU a 2-1 edge after 15 minutes. The score would remain steady heading into halftime as neither team could score in the second quarter.
The Penguins started the second half off just as hot as they did the first, as Molly Brooks netted a goal just 40 seconds into the third quarter to give YSU a 3-1 lead. The teams traded goals as RMU answered at the 13:13 mark of the quarter to cut the lead in half, Lilly Mattucci scored 61 seconds later to give YSU a 4-2 lead, and then the Colonials would add the final two goals of the third quarter to push the game to a 4-4 tie heading into the final 15 minutes.
Ava Kreutzer would reclaim the lead for the 'Guins as she scored off a pass from Gwen Bogash with 9:41 remaining in regulation, a goal that proved to be pivotal as YSU would hold RMU scoreless for the entire fourth quarter, winning 5-4.
The Penguins dominated draw controls, 10-1, as Robert Morris did not control a single draw after the first quarter. YSU's +9 advantage on draws is the largest advantage in a single game since the Penguins outdrew Kent State, 19-9, during last season's finale on Apr. 26, 2025. The one draw control by an opponent is a new program record, breaking the previous record of seven, accomplished against Wofford on Mar. 3, 2025.
The Penguins will return to action this Sunday when they travel to Cincinnati for a matchup with the Bearcats. The opening draw is scheduled for noon.
For news and updates throughout the 2026 women's lacrosse season, follow @YSUwlax on X.
