KENOSHA, Wis. - Coming off of a disappointing loss in its home-opener to DePauw last week, the Carthage Firebirds women's lacrosse team came ready to play against Marian (Wis.) this afternoon at Art Keller Field. Led by nine points from star-senior Rachel Harris and five goals from first-year student-athlete Piper LeFevre, Carthage ran away with a convincing 18-5 home win.



 

•  Final score: Carthage 18, Marian 5.  
• Location: Art Keller Field - Kenosha, Wisconsin. 
• Records: Carthage 1-1, Marian 0-1 

 

•  Carthage struck first on a woman-down goal from Piper LeFevre just 1:08 into the contest. The goal was the second in LeFevre's career after the freshman scored once in the team's opener vs DePauw. 
• Marian got on the board and evened the score two minutes later, scoring at the 9:55 mark of the opening period. Three different Firebirds scored during a 3-0 run to close to the period, as Shannon Heitschmidt, Rachel Harris, and Piper LeFevre each found the back of the net. Carthage led 4-1 after one. 
• The visitors quickly cut into the deficit with a goal just 30 seconds into the quarter before Carthage rattled off another 3-0 run. The same trio that fueled the Firebirds' earlier 3-0 run did the same this time, as Harris, LeFevre, and Heitschmidt all scored. 
• Carthage's Harris and Oda scored two goals apiece to end the first half, giving Carthage a sizable 11-3 advantage heading into halftime. Harris scored three goals in the second period and four in the first half to lead all scorers. 
• The Firebirds scored all five goals in the third period, holding Marian without a shot. LeFevre (x2), Oda, Heitschmidt, and Berni all converted for Carthage to help balloon the lead to 16-3. 
• Harris scored the next two for Carthage to open up the final period, giving her six goals on the day. Two garbage-time goals from Marian made the score 18-5 in favor of the home team, but no more damage was done and the Firebirds walked away with an impressive home victory. 
• A +26 shot differential (+22 in shots on goal) and a +9 turnover differential helped Carthage gain and keep control of today's contest. The Firebirds also scooped up seven more ground balls than the Sabres. An 11-0 run from Carthage that spanned nearly two periods made the deficit insurmountable for Marian, whose offense struggled to execute throughout the game.  

 

•  Rachel Harris, after a quiet opener, was sensational today. Harris scored six goals and dished out three assists to give her nine points on the day. The accomplished-senior took eight shots on goal, caused two turnovers, and collected two ground balls. 
• Piper LeFevre put together an excellent performance in her second-ever collegiate lacrosse game, scoring five goals on five shots. LeFevre also caused four turnovers and grabbed three ground balls. 
• First-year student-athlete Shannon Heitschmidt scored three goals on three shots, also picking up an assist and five ground balls. 
• Maddie Berni set her teammates up well today, assisting on three Firebird goals while scoring one herself. 
• Elizabeth Oda played a complete game today for Carthage, tallying three goals, 11 shots (seven on goal), six ground balls (led the Firebirds), and two forced turnovers.  

"Excited how we came out today after our last game," said Carthage head women's lacrosse coach John Sung. 

"I thought we made some good improvements this week. It was really nice to get some of our freshmen some of their first looks and we really had some great opportunities for them. I thought our draw control unit did a much better job today - we made some adjustments moving some players around. I was really, really pleased with all of the adjustments they made in-game."

"I'm really looking forward to the growth of our offense. I thought today they made some good steps forward - we really shared the ball well which was exciting to see."

"Rachel Harris had nine points, Piper had a career-high five goals - today was a really strong showing by [Piper]. I'm just excited about the whole group, I'm glad to get the win, and we're looking forward to next Saturday."



 

• Women's lacrosse takes the field once again next Saturday, March 4 as the team faces off with Saint Mary's College (Ind.) at 1 p.m.