NAPERVILLE — As the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) moves deeper into the 2026 women’s lacrosse season, the non-conference portion of the schedule has continued to provide an early look at the league picture. 
 
This week’s notebook includes Carroll’s unbeaten start, Augustana’s strong national standing in possession-based categories and Carthage’s two-win trip to the Pacific Northwest. The conference’s individual statistical leaders have also begun to take shape as teams near the start of league play.
 
Pioneers Paving a Path of Perfection
Carroll has remained unbeaten through the opening portion of the 2026 season, moving to 6-0 through mid-March. The Pioneers earned a 19-8 road win at SUNY Canton last Wednesday before adding a 12-8 victory at Wisconsin-La Crosse on Saturday.
 
The Pioneers have also posted strong numbers on the national level. Carroll ranks 23rd in Division III in assists per game at 8.00 and 17th in draw control percentage at .648. Defensively, the Pioneers sit 18th nationally in scoring defense, allowing 5.67 goals per game, while their .564 team save percentage ranks seventh in the country.
 
Vikings Vacuuming the Turf
Augustana has continued to distinguish itself through its ability to control possession and create defensive disruption. The Vikings rank sixth in Division III in ground balls per game at 29.88 and 16th nationally in caused turnovers per game at 14.25. Those categories have played a significant role in helping Augustana limit opposing opportunities and maintain control of matches.
 
That formula was evident in Saturday’s 18-3 win over Marian. Augustana scored 15 seconds into the contest when Jackie McNair converted following a Madison Langewisch draw control, and the Vikings maintained control throughout the afternoon. Langewisch finished with five goals, while McNair and Becca Lacina each added four. Lacina also recorded five assists, and Kendall Phelan contributed on both ends of the field, including a goal after forcing a turnover. Augustana forced 15 turnovers in the game.
 
Firebirds Finding the Heat in Washington
Carthage improved to 5-1 with two road wins during its spring break trip to Washington. The Firebirds opened with an 11-6 victory at Whitman last Thursday before following with a 12-7 win at Whitworth on Friday. In the second contest, Carthage used a seven-goal second quarter to break open a close game and take control before halftime.
 
Auggie Claridge led the offensive effort on the trip, scoring five goals against Whitman and adding four goals and one assist against Whitworth. Freshman Kelsey O’Brien recorded a hat trick in the Whitworth win, while Isabella Kuyava and Kyleigh Higgins also scored during the second-quarter run. In goal, Xochitl Delvale-Vera remained steady across both contests and recorded four saves against Whitworth. Carthage returns home ranked among the national leaders in scoring defense, allowing 6.8 goals per game.
 
Pointing Toward the Top of the Charts
The conference’s individual statistical leaders through mid-March reflect the strong starts by Carroll, Carthage and Augustana. Carroll’s Elizabeth Wang leads the CCIW in points per game at 5.0 and shots per game at 9.8. Teammate Sierra Skack ranks first in the conference in assists per game at 2.3, while Carthage’s Auggie Claridge leads the league in goals per game at 3.4.
 
Denying Entry: Goalkeepers and Defensive Specialists
Defensive play has also been a defining theme across the conference this spring. Elmhurst goalkeeper Jacq Vanoni leads the CCIW in saves per game at 9.1 and has played an important role for the Bluejays against a demanding schedule. At Carroll, Grace Tumilty leads the conference in both ground balls per game at 4.5 and caused turnovers per game at 4.3.
 
Illinois Wesleyan’s Sadie Newton continues to lead the league in draw controls per game at 6.3, providing a consistent possession presence for the Titans. Carroll goalkeeper Devon Duym has also paced the conference in save percentage at .544, adding another strong defensive component to the Pioneers’ unbeaten start.
 
The Mid-March Multi-Team Roundup
Elsewhere in the conference, Elmhurst earned a 14-5 home win over Augsburg on Sunday during its “Pack the Nest” event. Olivia Ingraffia, Hannah Jacob and Zoe Valdevenito each recorded hat tricks in the victory, while Grace Lorkiewicz finished with two goals and three assists.
 
North Central closed its spring break trip with a 10-5 loss at Spalding last Saturday, despite goals from Samantha Alis and Camille Krekeler that helped the Cardinals briefly take a third-quarter lead. North Central returned home Tuesday and dropped a 13-10 decision to Concordia Wisconsin. Illinois Wesleyan, meanwhile, concluded its North Carolina trip with a 20-0 loss at Methodist on Wednesday, though Newton added eight draw controls in the contest.
 
Standings and the Road Ahead
Carroll enters the next set of games at 6-0, followed by Carthage at 5-1 and Augustana at 6-2. Elmhurst stands at 3-4, while North Central is 2-4 and Illinois Wesleyan is 3-5.
 
Carroll is scheduled to play at Concordia Wisconsin on Thursday, while Marian travels to Carthage the same day. On Friday, Illinois Wesleyan will face Meredith and Augustana will host Wisconsin-Eau Claire. The Saturday slate includes Saint Benedict at Carroll, Elmhurst at Saint Mary’s (Ind.), MSOE at Carthage, and North Central at Cornell.