KENOSHA, Wis. — The Division III No. 5-rankd Vikings of the Augustana College women’s water polo team picked up two wins on the opening day of the Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Division III-West Region weekend at Carthage College. The Vikings conquered Division III No. 9 Macalester College, 7-5, before earning an 11-5 win versus Division III No. 7 Austin College.
Meeting Macalester, both teams remained scoreless after eight minutes of play. In the second quarter, the Scots took an early lead after two goals within three minutes. With 25 seconds on the clock. Braelyn Hill found the back of the net to create move Augustana within 2-1 at halftime.
Alayna Ickert scored quickly in the second half to even the game at two apiece. Three minutes later, Cindy King tallied a goal to overtake the advantage before Ickert added another point to the scoreboard. Macalester found two shots in the final two minutes to draw the score even at four-all heading into the final eight minutes of regulation.
In the fourth quarter, Carli Udovich secured the upper hand once again before Emma Blezien built the difference to a pair. The Scots got within one with two minutes on the clock, but Waiahuli Akau sealed the 7-5 victory with a shot in the final seconds of the game.
Ickert led the team with two goals, while Susan Pamentera-Reid finished with eight saves.
Taking on Austin, Akau scored first before Anais Jones converted back-to-back successful shots to create a 3-0 score after four minutes of action. A minute later, Blezien found the back of the net before Austin found their first goal. Ickert capped off the first eight minutes of action with a goal as the Vikings exited the opening frame with a 5-1 lead.
In the second quarter, the teams traded shots with Jersey Merrick putting up a tally for Augie. Hailey Sherman tallied her first goal of the game with 3:52 on the clock to move the game to 7-2 entering the halftime break.
Returning to action, Sofia Boccalatte found the back of the net and the Kangaroos followed with one of their own to keep the difference at five (8-3). Elly Jo Fay rifled in a shot with 4:32 remaining in the third quarter before Austin concluded the eight-minute span with a marker to stay within five goals at 9-4. In the fourth quarter, Blezien put up another goal, and both teams traded points with Jones closing the game with an 11-5 score.
Jones led the team with three goals, while Blezien tallied two. Palmentera-Reid finished the contest with 16 saves.
With the two wins, Augie goes to 10-3 on the season and opens conference play with a 2-0 record.
Release courtesy Augustana College Athletics Communications
