ROCK ISLAND, Ill. – Despite taking an early lead, the Carthage College Lady Reds fell Saturday against arch College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin rival Augustana College, 18-7, at Thorson-Lucken Field.
 
The loss drops the Lady Reds to 2-1 in the CCIW and 8-4 overall, while Augustana, the preseason pick to win the CCIW, improves to 3-0 in conference and 12-1 on the season.
 
Carthage opened the game taking an early 1-0 then 2-1 lead following goals by Maddie Griffin and Kara Vana respectively, but after tying the game 3-3 on and Elizabeth Wittenborg goal, Augustana rattled off a 5-0 run to take an 8-3 lead into the halftime break.
 
Despite four second half goals from Shannon Long, Rachel Mussell, Vana and Griffin, the Lady Reds were edged by Augustana behind 10 second half goals to give the Vikings the edge and a 18-7 win.
 
Carthage will return to action Wednesday as they continue their two game road swing with a trip to Bloomington, Illinois to face Illinois Wesleyan University at 6:00 PM at Tucci Stadium.