McLean County Times

The Illinois Wesleyan University women's lacrosse team ended its 2025 season with a loss in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) Tournament Semifinals. The match, held at Carthage College on April 30, saw the Titans defeated 16-4. With this result, IWU concluded its season with an overall record of 8-9. Carthage College, improving to a 12-3 record, is set to play against Carroll University in the CCIW Tournament Championship on May 3.

Senior Lizzie Rymarcsuk achieved a significant personal milestone during the game. She made 13 saves, setting a new single-season record for Illinois Wesleyan with 165 saves, surpassing the previous record of 162 set by Claire Quist in 2016.

Junior Sadie Newton led the Titan's offense with two goals. Teammates Junior Carleigh Fountain and freshman Maddie Gibson also contributed with one goal each. Junior Sarah Riepe had the team's highest number of ground balls, securing two.

The game began with Carthage securing an early goal. Senior Mia Fiandaca won a draw which facilitated Newton's first goal, tying the match at 1-1 in the opening quarter. Despite some defensive efforts including a save by Rymarcsuk, IWU trailed 3-1 by the end of the first quarter and 4-1 in the second quarter after Carthage scored again. Newton scored a second goal, cutting Carthage's lead to 4-2. However, Carthage responded with six consecutive goals, establishing a 10-2 lead by halftime.

In the third period, Fountain managed a free-position goal, briefly interrupting Carthage's dominant scoring. The quarter ended with a 13-3 advantage for Carthage. Gibson scored for IWU with under two minutes remaining, making it 15-4, before Carthage sealed the game with a final goal.

The game marked the end of collegiate careers for Mia Fiandaca, Lizzie Rymarcsuk, Avery Setzler, and Mallory Mills, as the team prepares for the future under head coach Abby Kushina. Coach Kushina will return with 16 players for the upcoming 2026 season.