KENOSHA, Wis. — The Division III No. 9-ranked Macalester College water polo team began play during a Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA)-West Region weekend with an 8-7 overtime win versus host Carthage College and a 7-5 loss to Division III No. 5 Augustana College (Ill.) at Carthage’s Haribo Pool in the Koenitzer Aquatic Center.
Against Carthage, seniors Jess Palmer-Sammons (Half Moon Bay, Calif./Half Moon Bay) and Alana Nadolski (Kentwood, Mich./East Kentwood) opened the first quarter in dominant fashion with a goal each. Carthage pulled even, however, with two markers and built on that momentum in the second quarter with two more unanswered goals for a 4-2 lead.
The Scots gained a lead in the third quarter with three strikes as Palmer-Sammons deposited a pair with sophomore Anna Gaisser (Seattle, Wash./Ingraham) tossing in a solo tally. The Firebirds fell silent, and the Scots entered the fourth quarter with a 5-4 edge.
Carthage senior Brenna Cartens went on a heater in the fourth quarter by scoring three goals to tie the game despite two more Macalester goals with one each from Palmer-Sammons and Gaisser. The teams entered overtime tied 7-7.
The Scots quenched the Firebirds in overtime, with first year Reese Winegar (Hoffman Estates, Ill./William Fremd) scoring the only extra time goal to secure the win.
Palmer-Sammons led the Scots with four goals in the match with Gaisser (two), Winnegar and Nadolski combing for the other half of Macalester’s offense.
Senior goalkeeper Jayden Kratt (Palo Alto, Calif./Henry M. Gunn) had 12 saves in cage.
While the Scots held on strong in the second match of the day, a late game lag cost a win against the defending CWPA Champion Augustana Vikings.
Palmer-Sammons scored the first two goals of the game in quick succession to take the lead during the second quarter. Augustana found the net with 25 seconds on the clock, and the teams entered the third quarter with Macalester on top 2-1.
The Vikings opened the third quarter with three goals. Winegar and first-year Alice Lemmon (Evanston, Ill./Evanston Township) responded with makes of their own, but the Scots were unable to gain an edge. Though senior Lorelei Bell (Encinitas, Calif./San Dieguito Academy) tallied another point, three more Vikings’ goals in the fourth quarter allowed the Vikings to escape with a 7-5 victory.
Palmer-Sammons again led the Scots by scoring two goals to cap the day out with six. Lemmon, Winegar and Bell chipped in solo markers, while Kratt had seven saves.
Information courtesy Macalester College Athletics Communications
