'Roos Lock Up Top Seed in CWPA Tournament

KENOSHA, Wis. - The No. 6-ranked Austin College women's water polo team locked up the top seed in next week's CWPA Division III West Region Tournament after cruising past Wittenberg and No. 9-ranked Augustana by scores of 22-6 and 18-7, respectively, on Sunday. The 'Roos are now 10-7 overall, including 9-1 against Division III opponents.

In the opening game of the day against Wittenberg, the 'Roos raced out to a 9-2 lead after the first quarter and never looked back, and would take a 14-4 lead into halftime. The 'Roos used a dominant third quarter to put the game fully out of reach, outscoring Wittenberg 6-0 in the period to head into the fourth leading 20-4. Lexi Wong scored six goals to pace the Austin College, scoring two goals in each of the first three quarters.

Brooke Le added three goals in the victory, and Shannon Berry found the back of the cage twice, as did Lauren Olivier and Presley Woods. Sammi Thiele, Cory McGrath, Kalissa Niles, Aubrey Pasky, Madison Taylor, Kendall Katusak, and Alyssa Ross each scored once in the win to help the 'Roos put up a season-high goal total.

Against nationally ranked Augustana, the 'Roos went on top 4-1 after the opening quarter and led 9-3 heading into halftime. The 'Roos took a 12-5 lead into the fourth quarter, and took full control in the final frame, putting six goals in the back of the net to make it an 18-7 final. Wong and Le each scored four goals for the 'Roos, and Valery Piachonkina totaled 19 saves. 

Taylor tallied three goals in the win, while Thiele found the back of the net twice. Olivier, Niles, McGrath, Pasky, and Ross each scored once in the victory for Austin College.