ROCK ISLAND, Ill. — The Division III No. 5-ranked Augustana College Vikings women’s water polo team fell in a close battle to Division III No. 9/defending Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Division III Champion Austin College, 8-5, in both squads’ final game of the weekend.
The low-scoring affair began with one goal each in the opening quarter. Casey Barragan notched the first score just over two minutes into the contest. Austin evened the score at the 1:07 mark to make it 1-1 after eight minutes of action.
The two teams mirrored one another again in the second period, this time posting two goals apiece. Abbey Ellis put the Vikings back out in front halfway through the frame, before Barragan broke a two-all tie with her second goal of the contest. The Kangaroos earned the equalizer with four seconds remaining in the half to bring the score to three-all entering intermission.
Austin snagged their first lead of the game to start the third quarter, but Charlotte Newport evened the score back up just 27 seconds later. The ‘Roos went back out in front before Ocean Akau sent one into the back of the net with under a minute left in the quarter, pushing the score to five-all heading into the final eight minutes of regulation.
After five minutes of scoreless play, Austin broke away from the five-all deadlock by tallying three goals in the final three minutes to hang on for the 8-5 win.
The ‘Roos out-shot the Vikings 36-24 in the contest, with Augie’s defense anchored by Lizzie Pelzman’s 15 saves in net.
Release courtesy Augustana College Athletics Communications
