KENOSHA, Wis. - The Illinois Wesleyan University women's lacrosse team saw its 2024 season come to an end Wednesday night, May 1, with a 16-11 loss to Carthage College in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin Tournament Semifinal. With the setback, IWU ends the season with a 9-8 record, registering a winning mark for the first time since 2021.

Sophomore Devon Hanson (Waukesha, Wis.-Waukesha West) caused a turnover to set up the game's first goal as sophomore Carleigh Fountain (Orland Park, Ill.-Carl Sandburg) found sophomore Anelise DiGiovanni (Lockport, Ill.-Lockport Township) for the score.

After Carthage leveled the score at one, IWU made the most of a Firebird penalty as the Titans quickly answered on a Fountain goal.

Junior Lizzie Rymarcsuk (Lake Zurich, Ill.-Saint Viator) stopped a breakaway opportunity to set up the Titan offense about three minutes later. Senior Britney Maldanado (Hoffman Estates, Ill.-James B. Conant) connected with Fountain in traffic for the sophomore's second goal of the day to push Illinois Wesleyan's lead to two, 3-1, and force a Carthage timeout.

The pause proved timely for the home team as Carthage scored two goals less than 30 seconds apart before a junior Mia Fiandaca (St. Charles, Ill.-St. Charles North) goal on Hanson's helper put IWU back in front, 4-3. 

However, the Firebirds scored twice in the final 2:32 to stake a 5-4 lead after the first quarter of action.

Once again thwarting a breakaway, Rymarcsuk's stop got the Titans going in the second as a Fiandaca goal tied the score at five apiece with 10:14 remaining in the half.

Back-to-back goals from Fiandaca reclaimed the lead with 3:37 left in the half, but Carthage responded to leave the game even, 7-7, at the midpoint.

The Firebirds struck first in the third, but junior Avery Setzler (Bloomington, Ill.-Bloomington) hit Fiandaca for a goal as the Titans capitalized on a CC penalty.

A free position goal by Maldonado pushed the score to 9-9, but Carthage used a numbers advantage to take a 10-9 edge with 6:19 to play in the quarter.

Fiandaca caused a turnover and set up the attack as Fountain buried a dish from Maldonado to bring it back within one, 11-10, with 2:04 left in the third. Carthage responded less than a minute later, but Fiandaca came right back with a goal to send the game to the final period with the Firebirds leading, 12-11.

Illinois Wesleyan ran out of steam in the fourth quarter, as Carthage scored twice in the first four minutes before edging the Titans, 16-11.

Fiandaca and Maldonado tied for the team lead with six points apiece, achieving the mark in different ways. Fiandaca's points came on six goals, while Maldonado scored once and assisted on five others. Fountain finished with three goals and a helper for four points. 

Fiandaca anchored the defensive effort with four caused turnovers and tied Hanson for the team lead with five ground balls. 

Rymarcsuk made 10 saves in goal, logging all 60 minutes between the posts. 

The game marked the final in the careers of senior Britney Maldonado and Hanna Trousdale, while the rest of the Titan squad is set to return in 2025.