Youngstown State University
Cleveland State
Women's Soccer Hosts Cleveland State in Conference Home Opener Thursday
9/23/2026 10:15:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Opening Kick
The Youngstown State women's soccer team returns to Farmers National Bank Field to begin a two-game homestand when it welcomes Cleveland State in its Horizon League home opener on Thursday, Sept. 24. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. and the game will be aired on ESPN+.
Up Next
Youngstown State continues its two-game Horizon League homestand when it hosts Purdue Fort Wayne, Sunday, Sept. 27. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. and will air on ESPN+.
Last Time Out
Youngstown State picked up its first win of the season with a 2-1 come-from-behind Horizon League road victory at Northern Kentucky on Sept. 19. Junior defender Kate Makkas scored her first career goal on an Olimpico to tie the game at 1-1 in the 18th minute. Sophomore Kamryn Rosa's netted the game-winning goal in the 78th minute to lift the Penguins to the victory.
Firsts From the NKU Win
After knocking off Northern Kentucky, the Penguins notched several firsts in the win.
• Kate Makkas scored her first career goal
• Kendall Sears posted her first career win
• Kamryn Rosa scored her first goal of the season
• Ghita Haouzi tallied her first career assist
• The Penguins defeated the Norse for the first time since 2023
• First comeback victory since a 3-1 win over Robert Morris in 2024
Guins Searching for First 2-0 HL Start
Youngstown State is going for its first 2-0 Horizon League start in program history. This year marks the third time that Youngstown State opened league action with a win. The Penguins started league play with victories in 2012, 2025 and 2026.
About Cleveland State
Cleveland State enters the game with an overall record of 1-7 and a 1-0 mark in the Horizon League after knocking off conference foe Oakland, 2-0, on Sept. 19. Ryleigh Alcala has scored both of the Vikings' goals this season.
The Cleveland State Series
This is the 24th meeting between Youngstown State and Cleveland State in a series dating back to 2004. The Vikings own a 13-6-4 advantage in the all-time series. The teams tied, 1-1, in the last meeting on Sept. 25, 2025, in Cleveland, Ohio. Youngstown State's last victory was a 1-0 triumph on Oct. 2, 2019, in Cleveland, Ohio. The last time the Penguins defeated the Vikings was a 2-1 win on Oct. 22, 2014, at Farmers National Bank Field.
