WAUKESHA, Wis. - Already having won the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) regular season championship with an undefeated (5-0) conference record, Carroll's women's lacrosse team added to their hardware Saturday afternoon, as the top-seeded Pios defeated second-seeded Carthage College 12-2 in the CCIW Tournament Championship Game. That gives Carroll its first CCIW Tournament championship in program history, and secures the Pioneers' second-ever trip to the NCAA Division-III Tournament, and first as an automatic qualifier.

Saturday's result was never really in doubt, as Carroll (13-3) led from start to finish, building a 5-0 lead before Carthage (13-4) could even get on the board. The Pioneers opened the scoring mid-way through the opening quarter when Samantha Hurd scored her 17th goal of the season on an assist from Abby Tubbs, who added a goal of her own less than one minute later. Elaina Phaneuf and Lauren Fricke would also get into the first quarter scoring action for the Pios, while Phaneuf scored again mid-way through the second period to give Carroll a five-goal advantage. Carthage then scored their first goal of the day, on Piper LeFevre's 54th goal of the season, but Tubbs would get that goal back with her 35th goal of the year in the final minute of the half.

Carroll's leading scorer and this year's CCIW Offensive Player of the Year, Elizabeth Wang) extended the Pios lead in the opening minutes of the third quarter on her 54th goal of the season, on another assist from Tubbs. Grace Brockman, Phaneuf, and Tubbs would also each score in the quarter, giving the Pios a 10-1 lead entering the final period. LeFevre would give Carthage its second goal of the game with seven and a half minutes remaining, but it wasn't enough, as Wang finished the game off with a pair of goals in the final five minutes to complete her hat trick.

The Pioneers out-shot Carthage by a 13-1 margin in the opening quarter, and 35-15 for the game, as they recorded more shots on goal (19) than the Firebirds had shots (15). The Pios also won the turnover battle, 25-20.

Carroll was led by three goals apiece from Phaneuf, Wang, and Tubbs, with the latter two also each recording two assists apiece. The CCIW's leader in assists, Brockman led all players with four assists on the day.

Carroll Goal Keeper Devon Duym played all 60 minutes between the pipes, making six saves. Her counterpart, Xochitl Delvale-Vera also played the entire contest, saving 10 shots.

Winners of seven consecutive games, Carroll will find out who, where, and when they'll play in the NCAA First Round during Monday's selection show. The first round games are scheduled to be played on Saturday, May 10, with the second round scheduled for the following day.