NAPERVILLE — College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) women’s lacrosse play continued last Saturday with three matchups influencing the early standings picture. Carroll and Carthage remained unbeaten in league play, while Augustana secured its first conference victory of the season.
 
High Octane Offenses Ignite the Scoreboard
Carroll and Carthage each recorded decisive conference wins last Saturday to remain undefeated in league play. In Waukesha, the Pioneers defeated Illinois Wesleyan, 22-3, after building a 7-0 lead in the opening quarter and adding eight more goals in the second. Elaina Phaneuf scored six goals to lead Carroll, while Elizabeth Wang added five goals and three assists. Sierra Skack and Paige Helms each scored three times as the Pioneers finished with a 45-11 advantage in shots and were successful on all 19 of their clear attempts.
 
At North Central, Carthage posted a 17-2 road win after taking control with a 6-0 first quarter. Kelsey O’Brien finished with four goals, including a shorthanded score, while Piper LeFevre totaled three goals and two assists. Kyleigh Higgins added two goals and three assists for the Firebirds in the victory.
 
Defense Dictates the Day in Rock Island
The closest game of the day took place in Rock Island, where Augustana defeated Elmhurst, 6-4. Colleen Chiavola opened the scoring 50 seconds into the contest on an assist from Anna Davison. Elmhurst answered in the second period with back-to-back goals by Grace Lorkiewicz and Zoe Valdevenito to even the score at 3-3.
 
Augustana regained control in the third quarter by holding the Bluejays scoreless and getting goals from Madison Langewisch and Leah Greiber to build a 6-3 advantage. Elmhurst’s Olivia Ingraffia scored in the fourth, but the Vikings closed out the two-goal win. Lanie Cecala made four saves for Augustana, while Jacq Vanoni recorded 13 saves for Elmhurst.
 
National Notables Shine on the Big Stage
Several CCIW representatives continued to rank among the national leaders through Tuesday. Carroll’s Grace Tumilty entered the week first in Division III in caused turnovers per game at 4.46 and ninth in ground balls per game at 5.23. Carthage ranked third nationally in scoring defense at 5.23 goals allowed per game, while goalkeeper Xochitl Delvale-Vera stood third in goals-against average at 5.54.
 
Augustana ranked fourth nationally as a team in ground balls per game at 28.3. Carroll goalkeeper Devon Duym also remained among the national leaders, ranking ninth in goals-against average at 6.26.
 
Statistical Superstars Set the Standard
Carthage’s Auggie Claridge led the CCIW in both goals per game at 3.42 and points per game at 5.17 entering the week. Carroll’s Elizabeth Wang followed closely at 3.15 goals per game and also paced the conference in shots per game at 8.54.
 
Carroll’s Sierra Skack led the league in assists per game at 2.00, with Augustana’s Becca Lacina next at 1.92. Carthage’s Kaitlyn Goff held the top spot in draw controls per game at 5.92, followed by Elmhurst’s Grace Lorkiewicz at 5.50. In goal, Elmhurst’s Jacq Vanoni led the conference with 113 saves and an average of 9.42 per game.
 
Weekly Accolades for Midfield Mastery
The conference announced its latest Student-Athletes of the Week on Tuesday following last Saturday’s results. Carroll’s Elaina Phaneuf received Offensive Student-Athlete of the Week honors after scoring six goals in the win over Illinois Wesleyan.
 
Augustana’s Colleen Chiavola was named Defensive Student-Athlete of the Week. In the Vikings’ victory over Elmhurst, she totaled five caused turnovers, four ground balls, two goals and one assist.
 
Conference Standings Take Strategic Shape
Carroll and Carthage sat atop the conference standings at 2-0, with both teams also holding 11-2 overall records. Augustana and Illinois Wesleyan were tied for third at 1-1 in league play. Elmhurst and North Central both entered the week at 0-2 in conference action. 
 
The top four teams in the final standings will qualify for the 2026 CCIW Women’s Lacrosse Championship, which begins with semifinal play on Wednesday, April 29.
 
Anticipating the Next Wave of Competition
Conference play resumes Saturday with three games on the schedule. Augustana will travel to Carroll for a 1 p.m. contest in Waukesha, while Elmhurst will visit North Central at 3 p.m. Illinois Wesleyan is scheduled to host Carthage at 3:30 p.m. in Bloomington.
 
The schedule continues next Wednesday with North Central at Carroll, Carthage at Elmhurst and Augustana at Illinois Wesleyan, with all three games set for 6 p.m. The regular season is currently scheduled to conclude on Saturday, April 25.