WASHINGTON, Pa. — The Division III No. 4-ranked Augustana College Vikings clinched the Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Division III regular season title and the No. 1 seed for the CWPA Division III Championship on Friday-Sunday, April 10-12, at Wheaton College in Norton, Mass., by topping Wheaton, 26-1, and Connecticut College, 16-8, at Washington & Jefferson College’s Henry Memorial Natatorium.
Facing the championship host Lyons, Augustana outscored Wheaton 5-0 in the opening eight minutes with goals coming from Braelyn Hill, Mary King, Waiahuli Akau and two from Jersey Merrick. Augie held Wheaton scoreless through the first half with eight more in the second period to create a 13-0 margin at the contest’s midway point.
Returning to action, Hill found the back of the net before the Lyons secured their lone goal at 14-1. The Vikings closed the third quarter with three goals to make the score 17-1. In the final frame, Augie tallied nine more strikes to seal a 26-1 victory.
15 Vikings scored in the win, with Merrick, Abigail Gatlin and King collecting three apiece.
Facing Connecticut, the Vikings grabbed the lead after the opening eight minutes of play by outscoring the Camels, 4-3. Anais Jones found the back of the cage first before Augie followed with two straight goals to lead 4-0. Connecticut scored three consecutive goals to get within one before drawing the score even at four-all in the second quarter. However, Jones regained the upper hand. Connecticut responded before Augie closed the first half with two consecutive goals from Emma Blezien and Anita Rodgers to create an 11-8 game entering the halftime break.
The Vikings posted two more tallies in the third quarter before the Camels got on the board in the second half. The teams traded shots with Susan Palmentera-Reid getting past the goalie on a buzzer-beater attempt to lead 11-7 heading into the fourth quarter. Augie maintained the advantage, scoring three to make it a 15-7 game. Connecticut collected its final goal prior to the Vikings tacking on insurance for an 18-5 win.
Six Vikings scored in the win, with Jones leading with four, while Blezien had three.
Information courtesy Augustana College Athletics Communications
