O’FALLON, Ill. — The Division III No. 5-ranked Augustana College women’s water polo team fell short versus host McKendree Bearcats, 12-11, in the final game of the 2026 Lischwe Memorial Invitational.
In the opening eight minutes, the Bearcats outscored the Vikings, 4-1, to gain an early lead. The lone shot from the Vikings came from Waiahuli Akau during a power play. Augustana followed with a 4-2 margin, with Simone Cairns putting up the first goal in the second quarter. The teams traded points before Akau and Emma Blezien shrank the team’s deficit to 6-5 entering halftime.
Returning to action, the Bearcats found the back of the net first before the Vikings followed with two of their own from Cindy King and Braelyn Hill to set the scoreboard at seven-all. McKendree secured three consecutive goals to regain the lead.
Anita Rodgers put a goal on the scoresheet with 27 seconds on the clock, but Augie trailed by two at 10-8.
In the final minutes, the Vikings outscored the Bearcats 3-2 to close within a goal.
McKendree flushed the first shot before Anais Jones secured back-to-back markers to shrink the Vikings’ deficit to one. The teams both scored once more with Carli Udovich notching the final blow in a 12-11 loss.
Akau and Jones led Augustana with two goals apiece, while Susan Palmentera-Reid posted three steals and 12 saves.
Information courtesy Augustana College Athletics Communications
