Women's Lacrosse 5/2/2026 8:16:00 PM

Carthage Breaks Through, Defeats Carroll (Wis.) for CCIW Tournament Crown

WAUKESHA — Carthage secured a historic milestone Saturday, knocking off top-seeded Carroll (Wis.) to capture its first-ever CCIW Tournament title and earn the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Women's Lacrosse Championship.

Final Score: Carthage 9 - Carroll (Wis.) 6
Location: Waukesha, Wisconsin
Records: Carthage 16-3, Carroll (Wis.) 15-4

The Firebirds wasted no time asserting control, capitalizing on early opportunities to build a multi-goal cushion in the opening quarter. Auggie Claridge sparked the fast start with a pair of free-position goals, both coming within the first minute of each other, giving Carthage a 2-0 edge.
After Carroll answered to cut the deficit in half, the Firebirds responded emphatically. Rosie Nolan finished off a feed from Claridge before Claridge added her third goal of the period.
Kelsey O'Brien capped the surge with a goal off a Kyleigh Higgins assist, pushing the lead to 5-1 at the end of the first.
The Pios mounted a push in the second quarter, scoring twice in a 31-second span to trim the margin to 5-3.
Carthage steadied itself midway through the period as Shannon Heitschmidt converted on a Higgins assist, restoring a three-goal advantage.
The Pioneers added one more before halftime, but the Firebirds carried a 6-4 lead into the break.
Out of halftime, Carthage again found an answer when momentum began to shift. Nolan struck early in the third quarter off another assist from Claridge to extend the lead to 7-4.
Carroll responded with back-to-back goals, including a player-up conversion, to close within one.
With time winding down in the third, Claridge delivered a critical free-position goal to halt the rally and send Carthage into the fourth quarter ahead 8-6.
In the final period, the Firebirds locked in defensively and limited Carroll's scoring chances. Higgins provided a key insurance goal midway through the quarter, extending the lead to 9-6.
From there, Carthage controlled possession and protected the advantage down the stretch to secure the championship victory.

Auggie Claridge netted four goals on the day for Carthage, along with two assists for a team-best six points.
Rose Nolan registered two goals while Kyleigh Higgins led the Firebirds in assists with three.
In goal, Xochitl Delvale-Vera made eight saves in goal for Carthage while Kaitlyn Goff had four draw controls and three caused turnovers.
Defensively, Carthage held the conference's top seed scoreless over the final quarter to seal the result.

"So proud of this team. We fought the whole game and played together the whole 60 minutes. This team made history, and we are so proud! Onto the next!!"

With the win, Carthage earns the CCIW's automatic bid to the NCAA Women's Lacrosse Championship. The selection show is scheduled for Monday, May 4, at 9:30 a.m., with first-round play set to begin Saturday, May 9.
The Firebirds' opponent and game time will be announced during the selection show.

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Players Mentioned

#3 Auggie Claridge: A; 5' 2"; Junior

#44 Xochitl Delvale-Vera: G; 5' 4"; Sophomore

#13 Kaitlyn Goff: M; 5' 4"; Junior

#2 Shannon Heitschmidt: A; 5' 4"; Senior

#8 Kyleigh Higgins: A; 5' 3"; Senior

#4 Rosie Nolan: A/M; 5' 4"; Senior

#22 Kelsey O'Brien: A; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#3 Auggie Claridge
: 5' 2"; Junior
: A

#44 Xochitl Delvale-Vera
: 5' 4"; Sophomore
: G

#13 Kaitlyn Goff
: 5' 4"; Junior
: M

#2 Shannon Heitschmidt
: 5' 4"; Senior
: A

#8 Kyleigh Higgins
: 5' 3"; Senior
: A

#4 Rosie Nolan
: 5' 4"; Senior
: A/M

#22 Kelsey O'Brien
: Freshman
: A