O’FALLON, Ill. — McKendree University built a 5-0 lead by the conclusion of the first quarter and held a 10-2 margin by halftime as the Bearcats handled new program Augustana College, 20-9, in the first women’s water polo game in Augies’ history.
Augustana – which is competing in the program’s inaugural season of intercollegiate competition – fell behind 6-0 with 5:33 left in the second quarter prior to Maggie Caliendo (Fr., Orland Park, Ill./Carl Sandburg) burying a man-up chance to move Augustana back to within five at 6-1.
Following four McKendree goals to widen the gap to 10-1 with 2:44 left in the first half, Ocean Akau (Fr., Pana’ewa, Hawaii) delivered the final tally of the second quarter with 1:48 on the clock to make it 10-2 at the break.
Augustana managed three goals in the third quarter as Alyssa Fricker (Fr., Foothill Ranch, Calif./Santa Margarita Catholic) (6:57, 5:10) and Victoria Guest (Fr., Rancho Cucamonga, Calif./Los Osos) (1:15) dented the twine to trail 14-5 heading into the final eight minutes of competition.
McKendree built its lead to 19-5 with 5:09 left in the fourth quarter thanks to five consecutive strikes. Augustana chipped away at the final margin as Fricker (4:40, 2:17), Annie Opal Dickson (Fr., Imperial Beach, Calif./Mar Vista) (3:08) and Guest (five seconds) put away chances for the 20-5 final score.
Fricker led the way for the Augies with four goals to go along with a pair by Guest, while Akau, Caliendo and Dickson each registered solo markers.
