WAUKESHA, Wis. - History-making seasons are often defined by a long string of many memorable, breakthrough victories. 
The Carroll University women's lacrosse team experienced one of those defining moments as it defeated longtime traditional league powerhouse Augustana College 10-5 in a frigid, blustery College Conference of Illinois-Wisconsin game at Schneider Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
It was the sixth home-field victory of the season for Carroll, which improved to 3-0 in the conference standings and a program-best 13-0 overall.
Faced with the challenge of playing in 40-mile per hour winds and hard-driving sleet throughout the battle, the Pioneers demonstrated their mental and physical toughness to earn arguably one of their biggest wins of the highly-successful year.
Carroll outscored Augustana - the three-time defending CCIW regular-season champion - by a 5-2 margin in the momentum-building first half, overcoming an early one-goal deficit by responding with five consecutive goals over a 16-minute stretch.
Freshman midfielder Michaela Johnson (Mukwonago, Wis.) contributed four goals and two assists, picked up nine ground balls, won four draw controls and caused two turnovers to help lead Carroll, which outshot the Vikings 31-17 - maintaining a 28-11 shot-on-goal advantage.
Johnson, who had two goals and an assist in each half, scored critical back-to-back goals over a five-minute span in the first half to extend the lead to 5-1 with 10:54 remaining.
"Augustana has made it to the NCAA Division III Sweet 16 four times so this victory really meant a lot," said Johnson, who has 50 goals and 15 assists following her second four-goal effort of the season. "Coming into the year, they were picked to finish second in the conference so to come in as the underdog and get this W is very humbling. The sole focus was on competing as a team, showcasing our balance and executing up to our potential.
"Throughout the season, everyone has clicked and it has led to a lot of success. Looking back, it was exciting to come away with another huge victory and earn even more respect within the conference. This one was for our seniors."
Freshman midfielder Clara Jelacic (Waukesha, Wis.), the team's leading scorer, followed with a hat trick for the Pioneers. Freshman midfielder Courtenay Karls (Waukesha, Wis.) contributed two goals with an assist and senior attacker Betty Koenig (Sun Prairie, Wis.) added the other goal.
Karls, who won six draw controls, picked up five ground balls and caused four turnovers, was an energizing force in the first half by generating back-to-back goals and an assist for the high-powered Pioneers - highlighted by a key momentum-shifting unassisted shot to claim a 2-1 lead with 26:08 left.
On the play, Karls took possession, sprinted down the middle of the field, charged the goal and finished with a strong crossing shot into the right corner of the net.
"It was an amazing feeling to see the team come together, battle through the really bad weather conditions and get such a meaningful victory," said  Karls, who has generated 19 goals and a team-leading 16 assists. "It wasn't about just one person stepping up and making plays. From beginning to end, it was a collective effort where everyone did their part and contributed. That's what has made this season so special. With three games to go in the regular season, we're anxious to see how it's going to play out so we're just going to fight hard the rest of the way."
Junior goalkeeper Shelby Schoob (Sun Prairie, Wis.) registered six saves in playing the entire way for the Pioneers.
"It was a good signature win for the program and one we've really been focused on," said Carroll head coach Michael Hodge, whose team defeated Augustana for the first time in program history and avenged last year's 14-4 road loss. "Knowing the importance of this game and what was at stake in terms of conference play, it was great to be able to respond to the difficult challenge, adjust to the elements and take another step forward. It wasn't pretty at times but we competed hard and found a way to win."
Junior attacker Christina McCabe scored two goals for Augustana, which dropped to 0-3 in conference and 6-6 overall. Senior goalkeeper Annalia Fowler had 18 saves for the Vikings.
Carroll - seeking its first CCIW regular season championship and a berth in the upcoming prestigious league tournament - will travel to Carthage College (1-2, 8-5) for a league matchup Thursday, April 19 at 7 p.m.