Naperville, Ill. – The #3 Carroll University women's soccer team came up short, losing 1-3 to the #1 North Central Cardinals. Carroll, playing in its first CCIW Tournament Finals game in school history, found themselves in an unfamiliar spot. Brielle Ingalsbee would score the only goal for the Pioneers.

The Pioneers (11-6-3) were only able to take two shots on the night. Both shots were on target and, forced one save by the North Central goalkeeper. Carroll took three corner kicks and drew 17 fouls on the night. Senior goalkeeper Caitlin Fitzsimons made 13 saves on the night.

Coming into the game, Carroll was looking to give the Cardinals their first loss in CCIW play. North Central proved that would not be an easy task as they scored to make it a 0-1 lead in the 16' minute of the game. Carroll would look to respond as, Jo Ueland would fire a shot off, but it would ultimately be saved. The early goal allowed the Cardinals to get in an early grove and keep the pedal down as they would score two more goals in the half and not allow the Pioneers to get a shot up.

Coming out of the half down 0-3, Carroll would look for a spark. It was hard to do so through the tough physical play of the Cardinals, as Carroll would not see much of ball in their attacking half. However, in the 74' minute of the game senior Kenzie Blau found Ingalsbee for Carroll's second shot of the night. The Pios would be able to capitalize to make it a 1-3 lead. It would be too-little-too-late for the Pioneers as they would not a get another shot on goal and fall 1-3 in the CCIW Tournament Championship.

This wraps up the 2023 conference play for the Pioneers. This makes the third consecutive year that Carroll has finished with double digit wins and multiple all-conference members.