CHICAGO, Ill. - The second-seeded Carroll University women's lacrosse team lost to top-seeded University of Chicago 19-3 in the championship game of the College Conference of Illinois-Wisconsin Tournament at Stagg Field on Saturday evening.
It was the historic first appearance in the conference tourney final for CCIW regular-season co-champion Carroll, which entered the contest riding the momentum of a four-game winning streak (highlighted by its history-making first CCIW Tournament home-field victory over third-seeded and three-time defending league champion Illinois Wesleyan  in the semifinals) which ended the season 11-3 overall.
Two of Carroll's three losses came at the hands of regular-season conference co-champion Chicago this year.
Chicago, which improved to 9-1, earned an automatic bid to the upcoming NCAA Division III Tournament with the victory.
The Pioneers were outscored 10-3 in what became a decisive first half, including five unanswered goals over a critical nine-minute stretch to break an early 1-1 tie.
Carroll collected its first goal as Clara Jelacic scored off an assist from Michaela Johnson at the 27:24 mark of the first half.
Johnson followed with an unassisted goal at the 14:41 mark and Hannah Wenger had what proved to be the Pioneers' final goal with 44 seconds remaining.
Carroll was outshot 44-10 in the pressure-packed showdown (including a 35-8 shot-on-goal margin)
Rebecca McDaniel and Alicia Van Dale combined to register 16 saves for the Pioneers.
Anneke Pulkkinen scored four goals for Chicago, which had a statement-making nine unanswered goals in the second half. The Maroons maintained a critical 15-9 advantage in draw controls.
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)