WAUKESHA, Wis. – The Carroll University women's lacrosse team is no stranger to playing hard teams in the region. With a loaded non-conference schedule, including a trip out West, The Pios are looking forward to a challenge this season.
 
"The level of play in our region has gotten much better, and I'm excited for that to continue to grow," says Head Women's Lacrosse Coach Michael Hodge, who enters his ninth season at the helm of the program. Hodge has a career record of 53-66 with the Pios, and has gone 20-11 in the last two seasons, including 8-3 in the CCIW. Hodge and the Pioneers are looking to re-capture a conference championship after finishing in third last season in the league.
 
This season, the Pioneers are focusing their time on…well, time. Hodge's message to the team this year is to not waste time, "Time can be your biggest ally or biggest opponent in this game," says Hodge "we only have 17 games, there's no wasting time." Hodge stresses the importance of playing clean lacrosse this season with a very unselfish group of women.
 
"Our team goals are about working hard and supporting your teammates," says junior defender Ashlyn Phaneuf. "We play to make each other better and work to do the small things right."
 
Carroll loses two starters/key players from last year's offense but bolsters the roster with five new freshmen and Grace Tumilty from the women's soccer team. One player, in particular, re-joins the program for her sixth season, reigning CCIW Defensive Player of the Year and All-Region selection Clara Jelacic. Jelacic enters the season already in the Top-25 all-time in Division III Women's Lacrosse History in draw controls, ground balls, and caused turnovers. A good scoring season could land her on the offensive record boards as well. Coach Hodge raves about Jelacic's work ethic, and experience on the practice field, "Her drive is bigger than any award she wins," says Hodge. "She matches her game intensity in practices, and it's important she does that for the team, to show everyone the expectations of this program." 
 
Returning for the Pioneers this season includes All-conference athletes Katrina Hardin and Arianna Cullam. Hardin led the CCIW in shots and was second in goals scored in league-only games. Cullam was responsible for 22 ground balls and 13 caused turnovers during CCIW games. Phaneuf and Lexi Kaltenberg return to the rosters as team captains with Jelacic and Hardin this season.
 
The Pioneers begin the season in Minneapolis with a back-to-back on Saturday and Sunday, beginning with Hamline University. "You can expect us to command every field we walk onto," says Phaneuf. "Our head, heart, and hustle will be on display every game for the whole 60 minutes. We are determined to work hard and support each other."