ERIE, Pa. - The Austin College women's water polo team had another big day on Sunday, topping their second Division II opponent in as many days with an 11-9 win over Mercyhurst and following that up with a dominant 27-9 win over Grove City. The 'Roos are now 4-2 on the year.
The 'Roos fell behind 4-1 after the opening quarter against Mercyhurst, but Lexi Wong and Sammi Thiele each tallied early in the second to cut it to 5-3, and Wong scored again with 3:26 left before halftime to make it a 5-4 game. Mercyhurst scored once more to send the 'Roos into halftime trailing 6-4. Austin College closed the gap to 9-8 after the third quarter, with Kylee Noble getting the scoring started and Sophie Oliver and Wong each tallying to pull the 'Roos even at 7-7. Thiele scored again later in the quarter to keep things even at 8-8 before a final tally for Mercyhurst to end the third.
Madison Taylor pulled Austin College back even at 9-9 early in the fourth, and Brooke Le gave the 'Roos the lead at 10-9 with 6:41 left to play. Wong scored once more to make it 11-9, and that's how things would end as Valery Piachonkina and the 'Roo defense held Mercyhurst scoreless in the final quarter of action. Wong scored four times for Austin College to lead the 'Roos offensively, and Thiele and Le each found the net twice. Piachonkina had 11 saves for the 'Roos.
In the second game of the day, every 'Roo scored as Austin College put up a program-record 27 goals in the victory over Grove City. Austin College jumped out to a 6-4 lead after the first quarter, and exploded for nine goals in the second to make it a 15-5 game at the break. The 'Roos found the net eight more times in the third to make it 23-8 heading into the final frame, out-scoring Grove City 4-1 in the fourth to make it a 27-9 final.
Wong and Cory McGrath each scored four times to pace the 'Roos offensively, and Oliver and Taylor each scored three times in the victory. Piachonkina had seven saves and added five assists, and Presley Woods had four assists and a goal for Austin College.