YOUNGSTOWN, Oh – The RMU women's lacrosse team put on an offensive clinic as they were able to defeat Youngstown State on the road, 16-12.

The Colonials improve to 4-7, 2-0 on the season while the Penguins fall to 5-6 overall and 0-3 in conference play.

1^st HALF
The Penguins opened the game with a goal four minutes into the game, but their early success wouldn't last long as RMU responded with two straight goals. Samantha Brothers and Jenna Irwin were the recipients for the Colonials but Youngstown State wouldn't close the quarter quietly. The Penguins struck with two goals to close the quarter and would own an early 3-2 lead.

RMU snapped offensively in this frame as the visitors outshot the Penguins 13-6 and controlled possessions by having seven draw controls in the quarter compared to the Penguins who had two. The Colonials got the stanza started with three straight goals in a three-minute span, with two of those being woman-up tallies. The Colonials would continue to pour it on with seven goals int eh quarter as Mia Berthoff and Chelsea Coleman led the charge with two goals in the frame. RMU would go to the break now leading Youngstown State, 9-5.

2^ND HALF
The theme of a back and forth game continued as the Penguins stormed out of the gate to make it a 9-8 game at the halfway point. RMU didn't back down from the challenge as the away team would score three straight goals to once again give them a four-goal cushion.  Jade Doldo, Gia Anthony, and Brothers all contributed to the scoring run and helped RMU go to the final quarter with a sizeable advantage.

Anthony would continue one of her best days of her career as she opened the frame with two straight goals. RMU would hold the 14-8 lead until the 10-minute mark when the Penguins would go on to score two more goals and attempt a last effort comeback. Anthony responded with a clutch goal to swing the momentum back into the Colonials favor. Both teams would score one more goal as the Colonials held onto win 16-12

CONTROLLING THE PENGUINS
The Colonials have won six games in a row against the Penguins and in total are 9-1 against their conference counterpart. The only loss for RMU against YSU came during the 2022 season, but scoring hasn't been an issue with RMU averaging 16.8 goals per game against the Penguins.


INSIDE THE NUMBERS
Gia Anthony tied a career-high with four goals against the Penguins as she also had six shots on goal. Samantha Brothers tallied a season-best three goals while Jenna Irwin, Jade Doldo, Mia Berthoff, and Chelsea Coleman all had two goals. Madison Prietz finished with a team-high six draw controls and one goal while Jenna Evans registered a team-high six ground balls.

UP NEXT
The Colonials will stay home and face off against Central Michigan for a crucial conference showdown next Saturday at Joe Walton Stadium. First draw is scheduled for 12 p.m. and can be seen live on ESPN+.