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Xeni Barakos-Yoder

 
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Xeni Barakos-Yoder, a 2011 ESU graduate, has led her alma mater to unprecedented success in her first three seasons as the Warriors enter the 2019 season.

ESU is 44-12 under her leadership - going 12-5 in 2016, 17-3 in 2017 and 15-4 in 2018 - guiding the Warriors to their first-ever PSAC championship and NCAA Division II Tournament appearance in 2017, and their first Atlantic Region title and national semifinal appearance in 2018.

She was named IWLCA DII Atlantic Region Coach of the Year in her third season in 2018 after ESU posted its first two NCAA postseason wins in program history - 12-11 vs. Mercyhurst, and 16-14 at previously unbeaten West Chester. The Warriors fell 20-14 to Florida Southern in the semifinals.

She was named PSAC Coach of the Year in both of her first two seasons, compiling a record of 29-8 and twice setting the school record for wins.

The 2016 season, her first as head coach, closed with a No. 18 ranking in the final IWLCA DII poll and included an 8-7 win vs. No. 6-ranked Lock Haven, and a 9-8 (2OT) loss vs. No. 7 West Chester.

Senior attack Lauren Nunes, the NCAA DII statistical champion in assists per game, was All-PSAC first team and IWLCA All-South Region along with senior defender Caitlyn O'Connell and redshirt junior goalkeeper Jessica Maxwell. Nunes set ESU single-season records for points (96) and assists (61) in her only season under Barakos-Yoder.

ESU's 2017 season (17-3) set nearly every program record and included a 12-game winning streak - featuring seven against nationally-ranked teams - culminating with a 10-9 victory vs. Mercyhurst in the PSAC championship game.

The Warriors won their first-ever PSAC regular season title, PSAC Tournament title and advanced to the NCAA Division II Tournament for the first time. They were ranked No. 10 in the final IWLCA DII poll.

ESU won 11-9 vs. IUP in the PSAC semifinals before capturing the trophy vs. Mercyhurst in the championship game at Whitenight Field. In the NCAA Tournament, the Warriors fell 17-10 vs. Florida Tech in the first round, hosted by Florida Southern.

Junior midfielder Chessie Rahmer and freshman goalkeeper Tatyana Petteway were named to the IWLCA All-America third team, becoming the first set of ESU teammates to earn All-America honors since 2000.

They were both on the IWLCA All-South Region first team, with sophomore midfielder Emma Rufolo on the second team.