Austin College Returns to CWPA Title Game

ST. PAUL, Minn. - The No. 3-seeded Austin College women's water polo team advanced to the CWPA Division III Championship for the third straight season on Saturday, topping No. 2-seed Connecticut College 19-11. The 'Roos advance to take on top-seeded Augustana on Sunday looking to bring their third consecutive conference title back to Sherman.

Austin College came out hot, finishing the opening quarter with a 6-3 lead. The 'Roos and Connecticut College were squared up at two goals apiece before the 'Roos scored four of the next five. Cory McGrath tallied twice in the game's first eight minutes to help Austin College build their big early cushion.

Connecticut College narrowed the gap to 8-6 at halftime, but Austin College took control in the third, getting two goals apiece from McGrath and Sammi Thiele as they pushed the margin to 14-8, and five different players would find the back of the cage in the fourth to help hold off the Camels for the big semifinal victory.

McGrath finished with five goals to pace Austin College, while Maddie Jacks and Alyssa Ross each scored four times in the win. Thiele added two goals and Lauren Olivier, Aubrey Pasky, Kylee Noble, and Kate Askew each scored once in the win. Emily Engberson added a strong performance in goal, coming away with 15 blocks.

The 'Roos are now 9-9 on the year, including 9-1 against Division III opponents, and will take on Augustana for the third time this season. The 'Roos won the first match-up of the year with Augustana before falling in the second meeting between the two teams. The championship game is set for 1:30 p.m. on Sunday. Both Austin College and Augustana have clinched a berth in the national Division III Final Four, with tomorrow's winner to serve as the host for this year's event.