The Youngstown State women's lacrosse team has its sights set on a third consecutive win this Saturday when they welcome the Central Michigan Chippewas to Farmers National Bank Field for a Mid-American Conference matchup. The opening draw is set for noon. The game will be broadcast on YouTube.

Last Time Out

The Penguins used a strong second half as they defeated Duquesne, 13-11, on Wednesday at Rooney Field.

• YSU's outscored the Dukes 9-5 in the second half, including a 6-1 edge in the fourth quarter, after trailing 6-4 at halftime
• YSU overcame two separate three-point deficits, including a 10-7 score in favor of Duquesne at the end of the third quarter
• The Penguins began the fourth quarter on a 5-0 run to take a 12-10 lead with just 3:14 remaining
• Claire Baenziger and Ally Garrett each scored four goals for the 'Guins. Garrett's total tied a career-high and was her highest goal total since 2024
• Ava Kreutzer also tallied three goals for the Penguins
• Mackenzie Flannigan secured a team-high three caused turnovers while Skylar Pigrom led the 'Guins with three ground balls
• Alyssa Edwards totaled 10 saves in the cage, marking the third time this season that she has recorded double-digit saves
• YSU was an efficient 4-for-6 on free-position attempts, compared to Duquesne, which was just 3-for-8.

By The Numbers

• Claire Baenziger has a team-high 34 goals, followed by Ava Kreutzer and Ally Garrett, who each have 13 goals. Baenziger also has a team-high 49 draw controls.
• Of the 93 goals scored by the Penguins this season, only 30 of the goals have come off assists. Although YSU has totaled 11 assists in the last two games combined, the same total as the previous seven games combined.  Gwen Bogash and Ava Kreutzer are tied for the team lead with six assists each.
• The Penguins have shot just 44% (24-for-54) on free-position attempts, although they have shot 75% from the free-position (9-for-12) over the last two games.
• Mackenzie Flannigan has corralled a team-high 46 ground balls, which is already a new single-season program record. She has had a season-high seven ground balls twice. She also leads the team in caused turnovers with 29. She caused a season-high five turnovers vs. UDM on Apr. 4.
• Alyssa Edwards leads the 'Guins with 11 appearances in the cage, making nine starts. She has accumulated 71 saves and has a 36% save percentage.

Where the 'Guins Rank Amongst the MAC and Nationally

Mackenzie Flannigan

• Leads the MAC and ranks 22nd nationally in CT/G (2.23)
• Ranks 2nd in the MAC and 8th nationally in GB/G (3.54)

Claire Baenziger

• Leads the MAC and ranks 12th nationally FPG/G (0.85)
• Ranks 4th in the MAC in DC/G (3.77)
• Ranks 5th in the MAC in Goals-Per-Game (2.62)

Flannigan Etching Her Name in YSU Lore

Mackenzie Flannigan has had an incredible junior season for the Penguins, having already broken the single-season school record in last Saturday's contest vs. Detroit Mercy.

She has had at least five ground balls on four occasions this season, including a season-high seven ground balls twice (vs. RMU on Mar. 19, vs. UDM on Apr. 4).

Here is how the current Penguins single-season GB records stand:

Ground Balls

1. Mackenzie Flannigan (2026) – 46 (and counting)

2. Tori Bustamante (2025) – 42

3. Natalie Calandra-Ryan (2022) – 39

Flannigan has also shown a strong ability to create turnovers as she has quickly climbed the single-season CT leaderboard as well:

Caused Turnovers

1. Natalie Calandra-Ryan (2022) - 37

2. Tori Bustamante (2025) – 36

3. Mackenzie Flannigan (2026) - 29

She has caused at least three turnovers in five games this season, including a season-high five CT performance last Saturday vs. Detroit Mercy.

Mackenzie is a Two-Time MAC Defensive Player of the Week

Junior Mackenzie Flannigan was recently named the MAC Defensive Player of the Week for the second time this season on Tuesday, Apr. 7.

Last Saturday vs. Detroit Mercy, Flannigan tied a season-high with seven ground balls, caused a career-high five turnovers, and even dished out her first assist of the season in YSU's 15-7 victory over the Titans.

She was also named MAC DPOTW on Mar. 12. She has become the first player in program history to receive multiple MAC Defensive Player of the Week honors in the same season.

Strong Sophomore Campaign for CB

Claire Baenziger has started her sophomore season strongly through the first 12 games, netting a team-high 34 goals, which currently puts her in a tie for seventh-most in a season in program history, knotted with Erin Clark, who had the same total in 2023.

She has scored at least two goals in 11 of YSU's 12 games, including a current eight-game stretch of multi-goal performances.

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 a team-high 49 draw controls, which has widely eclipsed her 2025 total of eight. That number would currently put her in a tie for sixth in the program's record book for single-season draw controls, once again tying Erin Clark's total in 2023.

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.

Re-Writing The Record Book vs. RMU

YSU's Mar. 19 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 was also the first for YSU under Head Coach Liza Oakley.

Freshmen Producing in a Big Way

The freshmen class for the 'Guins has made an impact during the 2026 season, combining for 19 goals.

Maya Griffin leads the way for the class with eight goals, while Molly Brooks has seven, Lilly Mattucci has three, and Kendyll Jerry has one.

During last Saturday's matchup vs. Detroit Mercy, the freshmen class combined for six goals. Brooks notched a hat trick with three, while Griffin had two, and Jerry netted her first-career goal.

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 their Mar. 14 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 Central Michigan

The Chippewas enter Saturday's matchup with a 2-11 record overall and are currently 1-3 in MAC play.

CMU is on a two-game losing streak after a 15-4 setback against USC on Monday. Their last win was vs. Detroit Mercy, 14-7, on Mar. 28.

The Chippewas are led by goalkeeper Leila Kahler, who ranks third in the MAC in saves (110), saves-per-game (8.46), and GB/G (2.92).

CMU captured its first win over a power-conference opponent earlier this season on Feb. 28, when they defeated Oregon, 12-11, at the CMU Lacrosse Complex.

Series History

This will be the seventh meeting all-time between YSU and Central Michigan. The Chippewas hold a 5-1 edge over the 'Guins.

The two teams met last season on Apr. 11, 2025, with CMU coming out on top, 13-8 at the CMU Lacrosse Complex. Claire Baenziger and Ava Kreutzer each netted one goal for YSU, while Mackenzie Flannigan scooped six ground balls and caused four turnovers defensively.

YSU's lone win over CMU was a thrilling 11-10 victory on Apr. 18, 2022.

A Win vs. Central Michigan Would…

• Be YSU's second win in program history vs. Central Michigan
• Mark YSU's fourth road win of the season
• Mark YSU's first three-game winning streak since they won four straight games from 2/28-3/8-2025
• Be Head Coach Liza Oakley's fourth 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 travel to Akron next Saturday, Apr. 18, for its final road contest of the regular season. The opening draw against the Zips is scheduled for 3 p.m.

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