From 0 To Hero: How Youngstown State Women's Lacrosse Engineered A Historic Turnaround In 2025
The Youngstown State Women's Lacrosse team has cemented its place in program history, not just with wins, but with one of the most remarkable turnarounds in recent NCAA Division I sports. As of late 2025, the Penguins have completely rewritten their narrative, transforming from a winless squad to a competitive force in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) in a single, electrifying season.
This dramatic shift is the freshest and most compelling story surrounding the program today, showcasing the immediate impact of new leadership and the emergence of record-breaking star talent. The journey from a difficult 0-16 record in 2024 to a near-.500 finish of 7-8 in the 2025 season is a testament to the team's resilience, strategic adjustments, and renewed competitive spirit.
The Architects of the YSU Lacrosse Transformation: Coaching Staff and Key Roster Entities
The foundation of any successful sports program rests on its leadership, and Youngstown State's resurgence is no exception. The Penguins' program has seen significant coaching changes that have injected new energy and a winning mentality.
Coaching Staff Profile
- Head Coach: Liza Oakley
- Role: Named to lead the program, bringing an energetic and passionate approach.
- Assistant Coach / Director of Recruiting: Liza Mettler
- Assistant Coach: Julia Frombach
- Conference: Mid-American Conference (MAC)
Key Player Entities (2025 Season Standouts)
The 2025 season saw several players step up to set new individual program records and earn prestigious conference honors, solidifying their status as the new faces of YSU Lacrosse:
- Katie Grottenthaler: An offensive powerhouse who set a new single-season program record with 21 free-position goals. She was a key scorer with nine hat tricks and twelve multi-goal outings, earning a major Mid-American Conference Postseason Honor.
- Tori Bustamante: The team's defensive and midfield anchor who shattered the single-season program record with 42 ground balls. She also totaled 36 caused turnovers, just one shy of tying that program record, and was recognized with a Mid-American Conference Postseason Honor.
- Lena Cox: A consistent offensive threat who earned a Second Team All-MAC selection in 2025.
- Claire Baenziger: A reliable midfielder whose performance contributed significantly to the team’s overall improvement.
- Ava Kreutzer: Another vital offensive player consistently appearing on the scoring sheet throughout the season.
The Staggering 2025 Season Turnaround: A Statistical Deep Dive
The numbers from the 2025 season are staggering when compared to the previous year, painting a clear picture of the program's massive leap forward. This is the core narrative of the current YSU Women's Lacrosse story.
The Dramatic Year-Over-Year Improvement
The difference between the 2024 and 2025 campaigns is almost unbelievable, highlighting a complete culture and performance shift:
- 2024 Overall Record: 0-16 (0.000 PCT)
- 2025 Overall Record: 7-8 (0.467 PCT)
This seven-win swing is one of the largest single-season improvements in the program’s young history, falling just shy of a winning record. The team’s determination was evident in their final stretch, concluding the season on a two-game winning streak.
New Program Records and Key Team Statistics
Beyond the win-loss record, the Penguins set new benchmarks for competitive play, demonstrating depth and efficiency on both ends of the field in 2025:
- Goals Scored: The team’s offensive output saw a major boost, with the Penguins scoring 201 goals in 2025.
- Ground Balls (Team): The YSU squad collectively recorded 277 ground balls, showcasing improved hustle and defensive tenacity.
- Caused Turnovers (Team): With 148 caused turnovers, the defense became significantly more disruptive.
- Mid-American Conference Honors: A total of five Penguins received MAC Postseason Honors, a clear sign of the team's rising profile within the league.
The MAC Landscape and Future Outlook for the Penguins
Playing in the competitive Mid-American Conference (MAC) presents a formidable challenge, but the 2025 season proved that Youngstown State is ready to compete for the conference title. The MAC is home to strong programs, and YSU's 2-4 conference record, while modest, included significant competitive moments that signal a shift in the power dynamic.
Topical Authority: The Mid-American Conference Challenge
The MAC is a key entity in the YSU Women's Lacrosse narrative. The conference has a history of competitive balance, and the Penguins are quickly becoming a team opponents cannot overlook. The two conference victories in 2025 were crucial for building confidence and establishing a new floor for the program's expectations.
The focus moving forward, particularly into the 2026 season, will be to improve their MAC standing. With a core group of record-setting players like Katie Grottenthaler and Tori Bustamante returning, and the strategic direction of Coach Liza Oakley, the program is poised to make a serious push for a MAC Tournament berth.
The 2026 Season and Beyond: Sustaining Success
The momentum gained from the 2025 campaign is the most valuable asset the team carries into the next season. The focus for the Penguins is now on sustaining this success and translating competitive games into conference wins. Key areas for continued development include:
- Defensive Consistency: Building on Tori Bustamante's record-setting performance to create a top-tier defensive unit.
- Offensive Depth: Continuing to develop players like Lena Cox, Claire Baenziger, and Ava Kreutzer to provide consistent scoring threats beyond the star players.
- Recruiting: Leveraging the "turnaround story" to attract elite high school talent, further strengthening the roster depth for future campaigns.
The Youngstown State Women's Lacrosse program is no longer defined by its past struggles. It is a story of resurgence, record-breaking talent, and a competitive edge that has fundamentally altered its position in the Mid-American Conference. The 2025 season was a launchpad, and all signs point to the Penguins becoming a perennial contender in the coming years.
The team's dramatic shift from 0-16 to 7-8 is a powerful example of how quickly a program can change its destiny through dedication, strategic coaching, and the sheer will of its athletes. The future of YSU Women's Lacrosse is bright, with the program's biggest achievements likely still to come.
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