Waukesha, Wis. – The Wheaton women's soccer team returned to competition in the 2024 CCIW Women's Soccer Tournament on Wednesday evening at number-one seeded Carroll (11-4-2). The top seeded Pioneers defeated the No. 5 seed Thunder 2-0. Wheaton's season ends with a 7-11-1 overall record.

In tonight's match, the two teams battled through a scoreless draw for much of the first half. Wheaton sophomore forward Grace Crowder had the game's first shot attempt, however it was stopped by the Pioneers' defense. In the 12^th minute, senior Mia Blair had the first shot on goal for the match but it was stopped by Carroll goalkeeper Caitlin Fitzsimons. The hosts' first shot on goal came in the 18^th minute, and another one less than one minute later as Wheaton keeper Elizabeth Netz made saves on both.

The Pioneers offense continued to put pressure on the Wheaton defense when the hosts registered the match's first goal in the 36^th minute. Carroll's Mari Sagstad tallied the go-ahead goal thanks to a double-assist from her teammates Brielle Ingalsbee and Grace Tumilty. The Pioneers got three more shot attempts after the Sagstad goal, and the final shot went into the back of the net with just 48 seconds left before the halftime intermission. The goal by Tumility gave Carroll a 2-0 lead at halftime.

Carroll out-shot the Thunder 10-3 in the first half, including a 6-1 advantage in shots on goal. Netz made four first-half saves for the Thunder and Fitzsimons' early save was her only save of the half.

The second half was scoreless despite six shots on goal in the final 45 minutes. Carroll had eight shots in the second half, including five on goal. Wheaton had two shots in the second half, with one shot on goal.

Netz made nine saves in the match, allowing two goals in 90 minutes of action. Fitzsimons made two saves for the Pioneers in recording the shutout.
Carroll had 18 shots in the match, including 11 shots on goal. The Thunder had five shots with just two shots on goal. The Pioneers were awarded five corner kicks, and Wheaton had two.   

The Pioneers will host No. 2 seed North Central College on Saturday in the CCIW Tournament Championship Match on Saturday evening. North Central defeated No. 3 Millikin 4-0 in tonight's other semifinal match.