Penguins Poised for a Milestone Season
The Youngstown State University women's soccer program is gearing up for its 31st season of competition, a milestone that underscores both longevity and ambition. Head Coach Rich Wall, now in his third year at the helm, believes the roster he has assembled can translate the program's recent surge into a sustained push for the Horizon League title.
Returning forwards Sara Felder and Kamryn Rosa headline a group of 19 letterwinners who helped the team finish third in the league a year ago. Felder led the squad with eight goals and 19 points in 2025, while Rosa earned Horizon League Freshman of the Year honors after a dynamic debut. Their experience will be a cornerstone as the Penguins look to build on a record‑breaking offensive output.
The 2026 edition welcomes 16 newcomers, including five transfers and a fresh wave of talent such as Baylee Williams, who contributed four goals and two assists as a rookie, and promising midfielders Ghita Haouzi, Natalia Rivera Lorenzo, Gabriella Fadel and Francesca Cassese. Competition for the starting goalkeeper spot is already intense, with seniors Aimee Benton, junior Kendall Sears and freshman Cami Givens vying for the role.
A demanding non‑conference slate will test the team early, featuring opponents from the American, ACC, Big Ten, SEC, Atlantic‑10, Atlantic Sun, Mid‑American and Patriot leagues. The schedule not only raises the competitive bar but also provides valuable exposure against top‑tier programs.
The program’s historic performance in 2025 adds further context: the team set new franchise marks for goals (29), assists (24) and points (82). That season also marked the 30th anniversary of the Penguins, a milestone that will be celebrated throughout the year. The club returns 82.8% of its goals, 66.7% of its assists and 78% of its total points from the previous campaign.
The season opener is slated for August 12 at Ambrose Urbanic Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where the Penguins will host the University of Pittsburgh at 7 p.m. ET. The match will kick off a campaign that promises to blend tradition with fresh energy.