The Youngstown State women's lacrosse team will wrap up a three-game road trip tomorrow when they travel to Pitt for a Tuesday afternoon battle with the Panthers at the Petersen Sports Complex. The opening draw is scheduled for 4 p.m.

Last Time Out

The Penguins fell to Cincinnati, 22-3, on Sunday at Nippert Stadium.

• Claire Baenziger scored all three YSU goals, securing her fourth-straight multi-goal performance
• Baenziger and Mackenzie Flannigan tied for the team-lead with five draw controls each
• Flannigan led YSU defensively with team-highs in GB (two) and CT (two)
• Alyssa Edwards and Brooke Harper each appeared in the cage, with Edwards getting the start and playing the first three quarters, while Harper appeared in the fourth quarter
• After YSU evened the game at 1-1 at the 12:00 mark of the first quarter, Cincinnati scored the next 18 goals. YSU's second goal came at the 11:39 mark of the fourth quarter, ending a scoreless drought of 45:21

Re-Writing The Record Book vs. RMU

Last Thursday's game vs. RMU was one to remember for many reasons, including the multiple single-game program records that were broken during the contest:

• The four goals allowed were the fewest in a single game, breaking the previous record of five, allowed vs. Akron on Apr. 15, 2023
• The Penguins recovered 41 ground balls, breaking the previous record of 30, set vs. Akron on Apr. 9, 2022
• YSU dominated the draw control battle, 10-1, not allowing a single RMU draw control after the first quarter. The one DC for an opponent breaks the previous low of seven, accomplished against Wofford on Mar. 3, 2025.

This victory also was the first for YSU under Head Coach Liza Oakley.

By The Numbers

• Claire Baenziger has a team-high 21 goals through nine games, followed by Ava Kreutzer with eight, and Maya Griffin and Ally Garrett, who have each scored six. Baenziger also has a team-high 37 draw controls.
• Of the 56 goals scored by the Penguins this season, only 17 of the goals have come off assists. Ava Kreutzer, Molly Brooks, and Gwen Bogash lead the team with three assists each.
• The Penguins have shot just 38% (14-for-37) on free-position attempts.
• Mackenzie Flannigan has corralled a team-high 30 ground balls, including a season-high seven ground balls vs. Robert Morris on last Thursday. She also leads the team in caused turnovers with 17. She caused a season-high four turnovers vs. RMU last Thursday.
• Alyssa Edwards leads the 'Guins with seven appearances in the cage, making five starts. She has accumulated 40 saves and has a 32% save percentage.

Where the 'Guins Rank Amongst the MAC

Mackenzie Flannigan

• Ranks 3rd in the MAC in GB/G (3.33)
• Ranks 2nd in CT/G (1.89)

Claire Baenziger

• Ranks 3rd in the MAC in DC/G (4.11)
• Ranks 5th in Goals-Per-Game (2.33)

Strong Start for CB

Claire Baenziger has started her sophomore season strongly through the first nine games, netting a team-high 21 goals.

She had a stellar performance during YSU's Mar. 6 contest vs. Marquette as she netted a career-high five goals.

She has also accounted for 37 of YSU's 101 draw controls, which has widely eclipsed her 2025 total of eight. Her eight draw controls against Bucknell in the season-opener on Feb. 6 marked a new career-high. She is one of just three players on the roster who have controlled at least 10 draws this season.

Flannigan Named MAC Defensive Player of the Week on Mar. 12

Junior Mackenzie Flannigan was named the MAC Defensive Player of the Week on Thursday, Mar. 12, for her efforts during YSU's matchup vs. Marquette on Mar. 6.

She set a season-high and tied a career-high with six ground balls vs. the Golden Eagles, while also tying season-highs in caused turnovers (three) and draw controls (five).

This marked the first time that she has received this honor during her career, and she is the first 'Guin to win MAC Defensive Player of the Week since Tori Bustamante received the honor on Apr. 29, 2025.

Freshmen Producing in a Big Way

The freshmen class for the 'Guins has made an impact during the early stages of the 2026 season, combining for 12 goals.

Maya Griffin leads the way for the class with six goals, while Molly Brooks and Lilly Mattucci have each scored three goals.

Hoping For Better Farmers' Luck in 2026

Due to inclement weather at unfortunate times last season, the Penguins were only able to play one of eight home games outdoors at Farmers National Bank Field, with the other seven having to be played indoors at the Watson and Tressel Training Site on campus.

The 'Guins have luckily eclipsed that mark with last Saturday's contest vs. UMass, marking its second home game outdoors this season.

The last home win at Farmers for YSU was on Apr. 15, 2023, an 18-5 victory over Akron.

Breakout Game for Bogash

Junior Gwen Bogash broke out for a three-goal output vs. UMBC on Feb. 25 after scoring just one goal in 2025.

This marked her first multi-goal outing since Apr. 10, 2024, when she played for Notre Dame College, and her first hat trick since Mar. 30, 2024. 

Previewing Pitt

The Panthers enter Tuesday's contest with a 4-6 record overall and 2-5 record in ACC play.

Pitt fell in a tough 11-10 battle to #9 Clemson on Saturday after late rally from the Tigers. Pitt led 9-8 after a go-ahead goal with 13:46 remaining in regulation, before Clemson scored three goals in a span of five minutes to take a two-goal lead with 7:16 left. Pitt cut the deficit in half with just under two minutes remining, but it proved to be too-little-too-late.

Pitt has faced a daunting schedule this season, having faced seven teams ranked in the national top-25 in its first 10 games. Pitt is 1-6 in those contests, defeating #14 Duke, 17-10, on Feb. 12, and has lost by three-or-less goals in four of the games.

The Panthers have had a strong season from goalkeeper Molly Cain, who currently ranks third in the ACC in saves-per-game (8.60) and 12th nationally in total saves (86).

Another strong suit for the Panthers has been Aidan Carr and her ability to control draws, as she ranks second in the ACC and 19th nationally in DC/G (7.70).

Series History

This will be the second meeting all-time between YSU and Pitt.

Pitt won the lone meeting between the programs on Mar. 28, 2023, a 13-9 decision.

A Win vs. Pitt Would…

• Be YSU's first win in program history vs. Pitt
• Be YSU's first victory over a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference
• Be Head Coach Liza Oakley's second win at YSU

Preseason Notes

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.

Four Captains to Lead Both on the Field and in the Locker Room

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 2026 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

YSU will return home for a Saturday matchup vs. Kent State to resume MAC play at Farmers National Bank Field. The opening draw is scheduled for noon.

For news and updates throughout the 2026 women's lacrosse season, follow @YSUwlax on X.