'Roo Women's Water Polo Falls in National Semifinals

CLAREMONT, Calif. - The No. 4-ranked Austin College women's water polo team jumped out to an early lead against No. 2-ranked Whittier College in the USA Water Polo Division III National Semifinals, but the Poets used an 8-0 run to surge ahead and the 'Roos were unable to bounce back in a 15-9 contest. The 'Roos will now take on No. 9-ranked Augustana in the third place game on Sunday at 10:30 a.m. (Pacific).

Brooke Le put the 'Roos on top 1-0 early in the first, and after Whittier knotted things up, the senior tallied again to make it 2-1. The Poets once again answered, but this time it was Sophie Oliver who put one in the cage to make it 3-2 with 31 seconds left in the opening period. Whittier would even things up with just seven seconds on the clock, and that goal would shift the momentum to the Poets, who blanked the 'Roos 4-0 in the second quarter to make it a 7-3 game at halftime.

The Poets scored the first three goals of the third quarter to complete their 8-0 run and make it 10-3, with the 'Roos breaking the scoring streak on a goal by Oliver to make it 10-4. After another tally by the Poets, Valery Piachonkina found Presley Woods with a long pass and Woods was able to find the back of the net to make it 11-5. The Poets and 'Roos traded goals again, with Alyssa Ross scoring to make it 12-6 just before the end of the third quarter. 

Whittier pushed the margin to 13-6 to open the fourth quarter before Madison Taylor scored for Austin College, but the 'Roos just were not able to get the deficit under six the rest of the way. Sammi Thiele and Lexi Wong capped off the Austin college scoring in the final quarter to make it a 15-9 game at the final horn. Whittier was 5-of-7 on extra attacker opportunities in the game, compared to just 1-of-3 for Austin College, while the 'Roos held a 31-to-25 shot advantage in the game. Piachonkina made seven saves in the defeat.

Austin College will take on Augustana for the fourth time this season on Sunday, with the 'Roos having won all three previous meetings by scores of 12-7, 18-7, and 18-7, including a victory in the CWPA Division III title game.