By Dylan Lux / Jambar Contributor
In a Friday night matchup to kick off the season, the Youngstown State University women’s lacrosse team finished its match in sudden death against Lindenwood University, inside the Watson and Tressel Training Site.
Following an 0-16 season, Head Coach Rob Harris looked for his first win at the Division I level.
Last season, YSU was ranked No. 124 in the NCAA Rating Percentage Index — one of the worst teams in the nation. Lindenwood found itself at No. 68, with an appearance in the Atlantic Sun Conference tournament.
Despite being heavy underdogs in the contest, the ’Guins jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead five minutes into the match, following goals from sophomores Katie Grottenthaler and Brooke Peck.
Youngstown State is heavily led by its lower-years, with a total of 22 freshmen and sophomores, while only having five juniors and three seniors.
Lindenwood answered with a goal from junior Luci Selander — who finished the game with nine points.
Youngstown State found its rhythm on offense as it scored three-straight times on the Lions.
Freshman Claire Baenziger recorded her first collegiate goal, while Peck picked up her second. Sophomore Lena Cox also scored for the ’Guins to give YSU a 5-1 lead late in the first quarter.
The quarter ended with a 6-2 lead for YSU, after Grottenthaler scored with a woman up at the end of the first 15 minutes.
The second quarter saw a 5-2 run for Lindenwood, including two goals for Selander. The two goals for Youngstown State were scored by Peck and sophomore Mia Yuris.
The game hit halftime with the score at 8-7, and shaped up for a closely contested second half.
Peck and Grottenthaler scored early in the third quarter to give the ’Guins a three-point advantage. Baezinger found the back of the cage for her second goal of the season, tying YSU’s largest lead of the day at four.
Only one more goal would be scored in the third, and it was none other than Selander of the Lions who cut the lead to 11-8.
Two goals for each side opened up the fourth quarter, as Selander scored and assisted on a goal. Baezinger got her hat trick with a third goal of the match and Grottenthaler tallied her fourth goal of the season.
Lindenwood called a timeout with 4:27 to go in the contest, down 13-10.
The Lions scored three-straight goals — their final goal of regulation came with 2:24 to go in the contest.
The game carried into a sudden death match, where Lindenwood wasted no time. In just 10 seconds, the Lions won the opening draw control and scored to win the match 14-13 over the Penguins.
Grottenthaler and Peck both finished the game with four goals, while Baezinger garnered her first hat trick in her first collegiate game. Junior Brooke Harper saved seven goals in the loss.
YSU’s Feb. 12 match against The George Washington University was postponed to a later date because of inclement weather.
The team’s next game will be against St. Francis University at 12 p.m. Feb. 15 in Loretto, Pennsylvania.