WASHINGTON, Pa. — The Division III No. 4-ranked Augustana College women’s water polo team started the final weekend of Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Division III regular season competition with a 14-11 victory over host Washington & Jefferson College at the Henry Natatorium in a rematch of the 2025 CWPA Division III title game.
In the opening eight minutes, the teams traded goals with Augie outgunning the Presidents 3-2. Jersey Merrick found the back of the cage first to gain an early advantage. Washington & Jefferson evened the score before Hailey Sherman pushed the Vikings back in front by a 2-1 count. The Presidents tied the game once more, but Waiahuli Akau closed the first quarter with a goal to put Augustana ahead by a 3-2 count.
Washington & Jefferson scored first in the second quarter to tie the game at three-all before a four-point run from the Vikings elevated the team. Anais Jones started the run for Augie with back-to-back shots before Emma Blezien tallied one and Sherman created a 7-3 game. The teams rallied for successful shots in the final minute, with Akau shooting past the goalie with 27 seconds on the clock to lead 8-4 entering the halftime break.
Returning to action, the Presidents fired first before Simone Cairns found the back of the cage. Washington & Jefferson followed with two before Abigail Gatlin scored to move the game to 10-7. The home team collected the last goal of the frame to chip Augustana’s lead down to 10-8 at the conclusion of 24 minutes of action.
In the fourth quarter, the defending CWPA Champion Vikings pulled away by outscoring by a 4-3 margin. Akau grabbed the first marker in the quarter before Mary King added another point to the scoresheet in stretching the lead to 12-8. The teams traded successful shots with Gatlin being credited with the goal. Washington & Jefferson scored two, but Akau sealed the 14-11 victory.
Information courtesy Washington & Jefferson College Athletics Communications.
