The Massachusetts women’s lacrosse team claimed a decisive 21-3 victory against Youngstown State on Saturday afternoon. A strong offensive performance by the Minutewomen (7-2, 1-0 Mid-American) in the first half held the Penguins (0-7, 0-1 MAC) off to earn UMass its first win in conference play.
Saturday’s game was a first for many, as two different Minutewomen players notched the first goals of their careers, and two players also recorded the first assists of their careers.
Elizabeth Schafer recorded her first career assist off the fifth goal by UMass’ top goal scorer, Kassidy Morris. Working the ball around the 12-meter fan, the midfielder gained possession of the ball, noticing the open red-shirt senior as she made her run into the 8-meter arc. Collecting the pass, Morris quickly released the ball past Youngstown State’s goalie, marking her 27th goal of the season
Reese Bromby would tally the final goal of the game for the Minutewomen with 5:14 left in the fourth quarter. Cate Marshall won the draw and carried the ball into the attacking zone before passing it to Dylan Lyons. The junior collected the ball and passed it from the top of the 12-meter fan to Bromby, who made a quick, spinning shot into the back of the net.
Molly Bruner scored the 17th goal of the game, the last of the third quarter, after retrieving a turnover. Gwen Bogash over-passed the ball, causing it to bounce out of the attacking zone. Collecting the ball, the UMass attacker used her speed to run down the field. As she entered the 8-meter arc, she shot the ball past Alyssa Edwards.
Bruner went on to tally the first assist of her career, as she was the primary assister on Norah Prizzi’s goal with 9:38 remaining in the game. Receiving a pass from Bridget Valentine, the sophomore ran the ball into the attacking zone before sending it to Prizzi, who collected the ball to the right of the Penguins’ goalie. Making the run into the 8-meter arc, Prizzi shot the ball past Edwards to record her fourth goal of the season.
Youngstown State was able to capitalize early in the second quarter after three Minutewomen players received a penalty, giving the Penguins a three-woman advantage. Ally Garrett collected the ball and made a pass to Claire Baenziger, who ran the ball into the 8-meter arc, shooting it past Bayley Duffy. Her score was the second goal of the game for Youngstown State and the sophomores’ 14th goal of the season.
UMass would record its sixth goal of the game with less than four seconds remaining in the first quarter when Lyons made a pass to Morris, who was making a run into the 8-meter arc. Collecting the pass, the attacker made a jump-spin shot over Edwards’ head and into the back of the net.
Defense was the name of the game for the Minutewomen as they took a critical advantage, holding off the Penguins to just eight shots on goal and 20 turnovers, successfully clearing 18 of them.
Youngstown State’s defense was also able to find its footing as the game went on, not allowing more than six shots on goal in the final three quarters after letting nine through in the first quarter.
UMass will return to Garber Field on March 19 as they take on Central Michigan in its second MAC game. The opening faceoff will be held at 1 p.m., with streaming available on ESPN+.
Olivia Pang can be reached at [email protected] and followed on X @OliviaPang18.
