KENOSHA - The Carthage women's water polo team competed in a four-game stretch over the weekend, battling through tightly contested matchups and strong offensive performances. The Firebirds finished the slate with two victories, defeating Grove City and Austin while narrowly dropping an overtime contest to Macalester and falling to Augustana. Across the four games, the Firebirds showcased balanced scoring and resilience, highlighted by standout performances from Brenna Carstens, Grace Steinberg, and Yamila Areizaga.


Game One

• Final score: Carthage 7 - Macalester 8
• Location: Kenosha, Wis.

Game Two

• Final score: Carthage 14 - Grove City 6
• Location: Kenosha, Wis.

Game Three

• Final score: Carthage 10 - Austin 8
• Location: Kenosha, Wis.

Game Four

• Final score: Carthage 3 - Augustana 15
• Location: Kenosha, Wis.

Game One

• Carthage opened the game trading goals with Macalester, as the first quarter ended in a 2-2 tie. Steinberg and Mak Werner found the back of the net for the Firebirds, setting the tone for a competitive matchup.
• The Firebirds pulled ahead in the second quarter, outscoring Macalester 2-0 in the period. Steinberg added a second goal while Carstens also tallied, giving Carthage a 4-2 lead heading into halftime.
• Macalester battled back in the third quarter, scoring three goals to reclaim the lead and take a 5-4 advantage entering the final period.
• Carthage responded early in the fourth quarter as Carstens scored back-to-back goals to give the Firebirds a 6-5 lead. Macalester answered once again, tying the game at 6-6 with six minutes remaining. Carstens completed a hat trick at the 4:57 mark to put Carthage back in front, but Macalester scored with just 1:29 left to force overtime. In the extra period, Macalester secured the 8-7 victory.

Game Two

• The Firebirds came out strong in the first quarter against Grove City, building an early 4-2 lead. Steinberg, Kamille Graham, Carstens, and Morrigan Bushroe-Stumpf each contributed a goal in the opening frame.
• Carthage continued its offensive pressure in the second quarter. Despite Grove City's attempts to slow the momentum, the Firebirds added two more goals from Yamilla Areizaga and Kiera Crawley to carry a 6-4 lead into halftime.
• The Firebirds maintained control in the third quarter, outscoring Grove City 3-2. Areizaga scored twice in the period while Steinberg added another goal, extending Carthage's lead to 9-6 entering the final quarter.
• Bushroe-Stumpf led the offense in the fourth quarter with a three-goal performance. Malee Todd and Aubrey Korzyniewski each added a goal as well, helping the Firebirds secure a 14-6 victory over Grove City.

Game Three

• Carthage opened the third game with a strong start, taking a 3-2 lead over Austin in the first quarter. Graham, Carstens, and Crawley each recorded goals for the Firebirds.
• The back-and-forth battle continued in the second quarter, but Carthage maintained the advantage heading into halftime. Carstens led the offense with two goals in the period while Austin added one, giving the Firebirds a 5-3 lead.
• Carthage extended the lead in the third quarter, outscoring Austin once again to push the score to 8-5. Graham, Carstens, and Crawley each added goals to help build the cushion.
• Austin attempted a late comeback in the fourth quarter with three goals, but the Firebirds held strong. Areizaga and Werner each scored to seal the 10-8 victory.

Game Four

• Carthage struck quickly in the fourth game as Graham scored just 25 seconds into the contest to give the Firebirds an early lead. The Vikings responded with three goals in the opening quarter, taking a 3-1 advantage.
• In the second quarter, the Vikings extended the lead by outscoring Carthage 4-1. Yamilla Areizaga recorded the lone goal for the Firebirds as Carthage trailed 7-2 at halftime.
• Carthage attempted to cut into the deficit in the third quarter when Carstens scored at the 6:09 mark. However, the Vikings continued their offensive push, adding four more goals to stretch the lead to 11-3.
• The Vikings held Carthage scoreless in the fourth quarter while adding four more goals to close out the game with a 15-3 win.

Game One

• Carstens led the Firebirds offensively with four goals. Steinberg added two goals, while Werner contributed one.

Game Two

• Carstens paced the Firebirds once again with four goals. Areizaga recorded three goals, while Steinberg added two.

Game Three

• Carstens continued to lead the Carthage offense with three goals. Graham and Crawley each added two goals.

Game Four

• Areizaga, Graham, and Carstens each recorded a goal for the Firebirds.

The Firebirds are back in action at the CWPA Crossover Tournament hosted by Washington and Jefferson. The Firebirds will have four games, facing Washington and Jefferson, Wheaton (Mass.), Connecticut, and Penn State Behrend. For more information, visit our athletics.carthage.edu.