By Kaylie Moore / The Jambar
With each team competing for a spot in the Horizon League Women’s Soccer Championship game, the Youngstown State University women’s soccer team battled against Oakland University on Nov. 2 at Farmers National Bank Field.
Despite the program’s first overtime match since 2021, the Penguins fell 1-nil to the Golden Grizzlies, ending the season for YSU in the quarterfinals.
The Penguins started out the first half against the Golden Grizzlies with a strong defensive effort that ended the period, nil-nil.
For the Golden Grizzlies, sophomore Mallory Anderson delivered the game winning shot off an assist from redshirt junior Brae Cole in overtime to win the game. Oakland advances to the Horizon League Semifinals for the first time since 2021.
During the course of the game, the Penguins recorded five shots on goal compared to the Golden Grizzlies’ six.
Redshirt sophomore Maya Naimoli defended the Penguins’ goal with five saves.
The Penguins posted a final overall record of 8-9-2 to end the season. Youngstown State’s 6-2-2 record in conference play, marked the best conference record in program history.
Even with the loss, the Penguins earned honorable accolades across the board, set new records and had five players named to Horizon League All-Teams.
Freshman Kamryn Rosa was named Horizon League Freshman of the Year — the first freshman in program history to receive the honor.
Senior Emma Rigone was named to the All-League Second Team, was a Sportsmanship Award finalist and part of the 2025 Valeo Horizon League All-Academic Team.
Junior Camille Bultel and redshirt sophomore were named to the Horizon league All-League Third Team. Redshirt sophomore Maya Niamoli was also selected for All-League Third Team honors and totaled 100 saves this season and a 75.2% save percentage.
Youngstown State wasn’t the only upset in the Horizon League Quarterfinals on Nov. 2. The No. 5 seed in the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay defeated No. 4 Wright State University, 3-1 at Alumni Field in Dayton.
Moving forward, the No. 1 University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee will host Oakland today to continue the Horizon League tournament. The Panthers are in search of their seventh straight NCAA Women’s College Cup appearance.
With the conclusion of the Semifinal rounds, the Horizon Women’s Soccer Championship will begin at 1 p.m. central time Nov. 8 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.