TicketsCINCINNATI — The Cincinnati lacrosse team erupted for a season-high 22 goals in a dominant 22-3 win over Youngstown State on Sunday afternoon at Nippert Stadium.
With the victory, the Bearcats improve to 8-4, while the Penguins drop to 1-8.
Cincinnati set the tone early, scoring just 15 seconds into the contest. Youngstown State answered minutes later to tie the game at 1-1, but the Bearcats quickly seized control. UC closed the first quarter on a 10-0 run and extended that stretch to 18 unanswered goals, building a commanding 19-1 lead early in the fourth quarter before cruising to the finish.
Senior Sophia Passa, sophomore Paige Selhorn and freshman Payton Kozina each recorded hat tricks to lead the offense, with Selhorn adding five assists. Claire Baenziger accounted for all three goals for Youngstown State.
As a team, Cincinnati tallied 11 assists and outshot the Penguins, 33-14, while holding Youngstown State without an assist.
Selhorn set the tone early, scoring Cincinnati’s opening goal just seconds into the contest. Youngstown State answered moments later to tie it at 1-1, but a goal from Passa ignited a 10-0 run to close the first quarter, with Selhorn dishing out five assists during the surge.
After the first-quarter outburst, the second period slowed, featuring just two goals — both from Cincinnati. Sophomore Alyse Keels opened the scoring in the quarter with her second goal of the game, and former Penguin junior Brooke Peck added another to extend the lead to 13-1 at halftime.
Junior Hailey Joy Simpson opened the second half with an unassisted goal just over a minute into the third quarter. Cincinnati continued to build momentum, adding four unanswered goals in the period.
The fourth quarter saw some back-and-forth scoring, but the Bearcats maintained control, outscoring Youngstown State 4-2 in the final frame to secure the 22-3 victory.
// UP NEXT
The Bearcats travel to California to take on UC Davis Saturday, March 28, at 3 p.m. ET at UC Davis Health Stadium
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