Kenosha, Wis. - Host Carthage scored twice in the opening three minutes and never trailed on the way to a 17-8 win over DePauw in the season opener for both schools.

The Firebirds jumped out to a 2-0 lead on goals by August Claridge and Bailey Koestel before Caleigh Claar stopped the run with a goal with 6:11 left in the opening period. Carthage scored two more in the opening stanza for a 4-1 lead. 

Carthage extended the lead to 8-1 with four goals in the opening nine minutes of the second period before DePauw scored with 4:18 remaining in the half on a ball the Firebids couldn't clear from in front of the goal. Carthage scored with just under three minutes left to make it 9-2.

Each team scored three in the third as the Tigers closed to within seven at 12-5 after back-to-back goals from Mary Mason in the final minute of the period.

The teams exchanged goals to start the final period with DePauw's Kate Leone cutting the Carthage lead to 13-6. The hosts, however, scored three times in a 1:25 span to push the lead to 16-6 and secure the win.

Mason led the Tigers with two goals and three ground balls, while Bridget Driscoll totaled seven draw controls  and Rosalie Tasker caused three turnovers.

Claridge led Carthage with five goals and Kyleigh Higgins had two assists. Higgins had a team-high four ground balls and seven draw controls. Higgins and Kaitlyn Goff each caused three turnovers.

Niamh Callahan totaled 14 saves for DePauw with Carthage's Kara Jaynes finishing with 15 stops.

Carthage led in shots, 34-24, and held a 14-12 edge in ground balls. 

DePauw returns to action on Saturday, Feb. 22, when it travels to Mount Union for a 4 p.m. game.