NORTON - The Carthage College women's water polo team traveled to Massachusetts to compete in the 2026 Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Division III Championship, turning in an impressive performance throughout the weekend. The Firebirds secured two victories, highlighted by a significant upset over Augustana, to earn a spot in the USA Water Polo (USAWP) Division III National Championships scheduled for April 25–26.

Carthage's success was further recognized with multiple postseason honors. Brenna Carstens was named to the CWPA Division III Championship All-Tournament First Team, while Kiera Crawley and Grace Steinberg earned Second Team accolades. In addition, head coach Seth Hughes was honored as the CWPA Division III Championship Coach of the Tournament, underscoring the Firebirds' outstanding team performance.


Game One

• Final score: Carthage 12 - Austin 10
• Location: Norton, Mass.

Game Two

• Final score: Carthage 12 - Augustana 10
• Location: Norton, Mass.

Game Three

• Final score: Carthage 9 - Macalester 14
• Location: Norton, Mass

Game One

• Carthage struck first when Kamille Graham found the back of the net just over a minute into the contest. Austin responded quickly, scoring three consecutive goals to give the Roos a 3-1 advantage at the end of the opening period.
• The Firebirds battled back in the second frame, trading goals with Austin College. Morrigan Bushroe-Stumpf opened the scoring for Carthage with an even-strength goal, assisted by Steinberg. Graham later converted a penalty shot, and Mak Werner added another tally to keep the Firebirds within striking distance. Despite Carthage's efforts, Austin maintained a narrow 6-4 lead heading into halftime.
• Carthage seized momentum in the third period with a dominant offensive display. After Austin scored early, Steinberg ignited the Firebirds with a goal at the 5:41 mark. Werner followed with back-to-back scores—one on a penalty shot and another assisted by Carstens—to give Carthage its first lead since the opening minutes. Steinberg added an extra-man goal late in the period, helping the Firebirds outscore the Roos 4-3 in the frame and take an 8-9 deficit into the final quarter.
• The Firebirds completed their comeback in the final period. Carstens opened the scoring with an extra-man goal, assisted by Werner, before Steinberg added another extra-man tally to extend the lead. Austin briefly closed the gap, but Crawley converted a penalty shot, and Carstens sealed the victory with a second goal of the quarter. Carthage outscored Austin 4-1 in the final frame to secure the 12-10 win. 

Game Two

• Carthage set the tone early, jumping out to a 4-2 lead in the opening frame. Graham opened the scoring with a penalty shot, and Steinberg followed with back-to-back goals to give the Firebirds momentum. After Augustana briefly cut into the deficit, Yamila Areizaga capped the period with an extra-man goal off an assist from Werner, sending Carthage into the second quarter with a two-goal advantage. 
• The Firebirds continued their offensive rhythm in the second period, outscoring Augustana 3-2. Carstens added an even-strength tally before Kaylin Machuca extended the lead with a goal assisted by Steinberg. Steinberg later converted on an extra-man opportunity, assisted by Graham, allowing Carthage to take a 7-4 lead into halftime. 
• Augustana mounted its strongest push in the third quarter, outscoring Carthage 4-2 to narrow the gap. Graham netted an extra-man goal early in the period, assisted by Bushroe-Stumpf, and Steinberg added another score to keep the Firebirds in front. Despite the Vikings' surge, Carthage maintained a slim 9-8 lead heading into the final period. 
• Carthage sealed the victory with a composed performance in the final frame. Steinberg struck again with an even-strength goal assisted by Carstens, and Graham converted a second penalty shot of the match to extend the lead. Carstens later added an extra-man goal to provide crucial insurance. Although Augustana scored twice late, the Firebirds held firm to secure the 12-10 win. 

Game Three

• Carthage responded well after conceding the opening goal. Werner tied the match with an extra-man goal off an assist from Carstens, and Steinberg followed with another extra-man tally to give the Firebirds a brief lead. Macalester answered with two goals to regain the advantage, but Carstens scored late in the period to even the contest. The teams ended the opening frame tied at 3-3.
• The Firebirds seized momentum early in the second quarter. Bushroe-Stumpf and Steinberg each netted extra-man goals to push Carthage ahead 5-3. However, Macalester responded with three consecutive goals to close the half, turning the tide and taking a 6-5 lead into the break. 
• Carthage continued to fight in the third period. Graham converted a penalty shot to tie the game, and Werner later scored with an assist from Sydney Barkley. Steinberg added another late goal to keep the Firebirds within striking distance. Despite these efforts, Macalester maintained a narrow 8-8 tie heading into the final quarter. 
• The Scots pulled away in the final frame, outscoring Carthage 6-1. Areizaga provided the Firebirds' lone goal of the period, but Macalester's offensive surge created separation down the stretch, securing the 14-9 victory.

Game One

• Steinberg led Carthage with three goals, one assist, and four steals.
• Werner recorded three goals and two assists while drawing multiple exclusions.
• Carstens added two goals and an assist in the victory.
• Graham chipped in two goals, including a penalty conversion. 
• Edie Hamilton anchored the defense in goal, making 10 saves.

Game Two

• Steinberg led all scorers with five goals and one assist. 
• Graham contributed three goals and an assist, including two successful penalty shots.
• Carstens added two goals and one assist in the victory.
• Areizaga and Machuca each chipped in a goal.
• Hamilton anchored the defense in goal for Carthage. 

Game Three

• Steinberg led Carthage with three goals.
• Werner added two goals, while Carstens, Graham, Bushroe-Stumpf, and Areizaga each contributed one. 
• Hamilton recorded five saves in goal for the Firebirds.

The Firebirds return to action at the USAWP Division III National Championships April 25. For more information, visit our athletics.carthage.edu.