WAUKESHA, Wis. - The high-octane, battle-tested Carroll University women's lacrosse team plans to live up to its reputation as one of the elite teams in the conference heading into the semifinals of the College Conference of Illinois-Wisconsin Tournament.
Carroll, second-seeded in the four-team field, is scheduled to host third-seeded three-time defending league tournament champion Illinois Wesleyan University, 10-2 overall, in the semifinals at Schneider Stadium on Wednesday at 7 p.m.
The Pioneers finished the regular season 4-1 in conference and 10-2 overall (highlighted by a three-game winning streak during the final portion of the schedule), capturing a share of the CCIW championship (ending in a three-way tie for first place atop the standings with co-champions University of Chicago and Illinois Wesleyan).
It was a memorable, lasting accomplishment as it became Carroll's first league title in program history, the first CCIW title for the Carroll women's athletic program and the school's first CCIW regular-season championship since 1988.
Top-seeded Chicago, 7-1 overall, is scheduled to host fourth-seeded Carthage College, 5-6, in the other Wednesday semifinal at 6 p.m.
The semifinal winners will compete for the league tournament title on Saturday, May 1st with the champion receiving an automatic bid to the upcoming NCAA Division III Tournament.
Carroll, guided by seventh-year head coach Michael Hodge who has been at the helm since the program made its debut in 2015, will be making its third CCIW Tournament appearance and has posted a statement-making 21-5 home-field record over the past four years, including a momentum-building 7-1 record this season.
"Earning a share of the conference title this year was a great accomplishment," Hodge said. "This team has been able to overcome adversity and that started last year when everyone's season was cut short. Simply put, we wanted to make the most of our opportunity this year. We have a great group of athletes that work hard every day."
The Pioneers, who recently earned a No. 2 ranking in the West region, have maintained a strong, balanced scoring attack, generating 13 or more goals in each of its victories.
Carroll has outscored its opponents 188-101 this season.
The team's victories came versus Edgewood (21-4), Aurora (17-8), Hamline (15-6), Concordia-Wisconsin (19-4), University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (18-3), Illinois Wesleyan (13-11), Carthage (17-16), UW-River Falls (21-9), North Central (18-6) and Augustana (17-3).
Carroll's lone conference loss came at the hands of Chicago, snapping the Pioneers' nine-game home-field winning streak dating back to February 26, 2020.
Carroll has combined to outscore its opponents by a statement-making 114-34 advantage in the first half in its 10 victories (highlighted by a program-record 17 goals in the nonconference home-opener versus Edgewood on March 6, 2021).
The Pioneers come into the tournament top-ranked in the CCIW in draw controls (192), goals scored (188), and caused turnovers (102). The squad is second in points per game (22.42), shots (32.92), shots on goal (25.92), and woman-up goals (1.08).
Carroll has been led by the high-powered offensive attack of Clara Jelacic (45 goals, 12 assists, 80 draw controls, 57 points, 47 ground balls, 32 caused turnovers), Michaela Johnson (40 goals, 22 assists, 62 points, 49 draw controls, 27 ground balls), Courtenay Karls (37 goals, 15 assists, 52 points, 52 draw controls, 29 free-position shots, 38 ground balls), Katrina Hardin (37 goals, eight assists, 45 points, 15 ground balls) and Alyssa Scharff (9 goals, 8 assists, 17 points, 17 ground balls).
Colleen Corter has provided valuable leadership in helping to spark the tenacious defensive effort for the Pioneers.
Rebecca McDaniel has been a stabilizing force at goalkeeper throughout the season, registering 56 saves in playing 543 minutes this season.
"We know that anything can happen when heading into any tournament," Hodge added. "We have to play a solid game on both sides of the ball. Wesleyan is a great team and we have to make the most of our opportunities. This team still has a lot to prove but we are looking forward to playing on our field Wednesday night."
Stay up to date on Carroll women's lacrosse by going online to www.gopios.com, or by following the Pioneers on Facebook (Carroll University Athletics), Twitter (@pio_athletics), and Instagram (@pio_athletics)

PIONEER FAST FACTS
What: Carroll University women's lacrosse team
Head Coach: Michael Hodge, seventh season
Up Next: Second-seeded Carroll is scheduled to host third-seeded three-time defending league tournament champion Illinois Wesleyan University in the semifinals of the prestigious College Conference of Illinois-Wisconsin Tournament at Schneider Stadium on Wednesday at 7 p.m.
Record: Finished the 2021 regular season 4-1 in conference and 10-2 overall, capturing a share of the CCIW championship (its first league title in program history)
Notable: The Pioneers will be making their third CCIW Tournament appearance and have posted a statement-making 21-5 home-field record over the past four years, including a momentum-building 7-1 record this season.
Team Members: Seniors - Alyssa Scharff, Clara Jelacic, Courtenay Karls, Colleen Corter, Michaela Johnson and Courtney Wright; Junior - Rachel Fordham; Sophomores - Jenna May, Emily Anderson, Katrina Hardin, Lexi Kaltenberg, Alicia Van Dale, Rebecca McDaniel and Ericka Beckman; Freshmen - Mia Allen, Mina Zastrow, Janu Patel, Ariana Cullam, Megan Juergensen, Maggie Mathes, Mercer Phlegar, Ashlyn Phaneuf, Hannah Wenger, Zoe Esveldt and Aisling Finnegan