By John Ostapowicz
The Youngstown State University women’s soccer team hit the pitch Oct. 6 to take on the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and played Northern Kentucky University Oct. 9.
In the match against the Phoenix, the Penguins were able to turn around their offensive struggles to defeat Green Bay, 3-0, which is the most goals scored by the team this season.
For Youngstown State, both sophomore Elis Klein Spindola and junior Justine Appolonia were able to acquire their first career goal. Senior Abriana Rondin also added to the total by posting her first goal of the season.
Coming off the one-week break, it seems the team began to find its rhythm late in the season as the forwards are starting to work at a high level offensively, according to Rondin.
“Spindola fought her way in the box and pulled a really good foul and gave me the opportunity to finish the goal,” Rondin said.
Assisting the Penguins, senior Regan LaVigna and Rondin each added an assist to aid in the team’s efforts. LaVigna leads the team in assists with two on the season.
The Penguins defense put on a clinic which was led by junior Brooklynn Kirkpatrick. She was able to record her fourth shutout of the season.
Kirkpatrick’s dominant performance continued as she posted five saves. She ranks third in saves, saves per game and shut outs per game within the Horizon League.
With the win, the Penguins were able to break a nine-year losing streak against the Phoenix, claiming the teams first conference victory of the season.
With the momentum from the win, the team traveled to Northern Kentucky Oct. 9, in a thriller, downing the Norse 1-0. The Penguins scored early in the match at the 16:58 mark of the first half.
The offense got red-hot as Spindola led the team in scoring by finding the back of the net for the second straight contest. Head coach Brian Shrum credited her with two wins for the team as she continues a two-game span of success.
“I like Spindola, she is a very cerebral player, she watches the game a lot and understands the stuff that we have been chatting about by getting herself in the position to score,” Shrum said.
In the net for the Penguins, Kirkpatrick recorded her fifth shutout of the season while fending off four Norse shots. Because of her efforts, she was named Nike Horizon League Player of the Week Oct. 10, making it her second time this season.
Although Northern Kentucky outshot Youngstown State 11-7, LaVigna led the team with three total shots.
With the win, the Penguins improve to 4-6-3 on the season, which marks the teams first time with four wins since 2019.
Youngstown State looks to continue its win streak by taking on Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne Oct. 13 at Farmers National Bank Field at the Covelli Sports Complex. For more information on the game check out ysusports.com.
The Penguins are back in action against Cleveland State University on Oct. 16 in Cleveland, Ohio. To watch the game go to ESPN+.
