THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — The Division III No. 10-ranked Austin College women’s water polo team dropped a pair of games against California State University-East Bay and Fresno Pacific University by scores of 16-7 and 12-11, respectively to wrap-up competition at the 2020 Tina Finali Memorial Tournament hosted by California Lutheran University.
Against Cal State East Bay, the Kangaroos found themselves in a 7-2 hole after the opening quarter and were unable to climb out over the next three quarters. Austin outscored the Pioneers 2-0 in the second quarter to make it 7-4 at halftime, but four unanswered goals in the third quarter for Cal State East Bay put things out of reach in the second half. Austin College tallied three times in the fourth quarter to make it a 16-7 final.
Sophie Oliver led the ‘Roos offensively, finding the back of the net three times in the game, while Lexi Wong scored twice and Brooke Le and Ally DeRado each scored once. Valery Piachonkina made nine saves for Austin in the loss.
The ‘Roos nearly pulled out the win over Fresno Pacific in their final game of the weekend, taking a 10-8 lead into the fourth quarter, but the Sunbirds rallied back and got what would prove to be the game-winner with 3:47 left to play. Le and Wonog scored twice each in the opening quarter as the ‘Roos took a 5-3 lead, and the halftime lead would grow to 8-5 before Fresno Pacific trimmed it to 10-8 heading into the fourth, where they would outscore the ‘Roos 4-1.
Wong finished with four goals to lead the ‘Roos, while Le and DeRado each scored twice. Presley Woods, Katherine Cox, and Oliver each added a goal, while Piachonkina made three saves for Austin.
Release courtesy Austin College Athletics Communications
