Box Score CLAREMONT, Calif. – Augustana women's water polo (9-13, 6-2) came up short in the semifinals of the USA Water Polo DIII Nattional Championships earlier today. The Vikings' first-ever trip to the National Tournament, in the program's inaugural season, was ended by top-seeded Pomona-Pitzer by a 21-6 score.
 
Pomona-Pitzer shocked Augustana in the opening period with five goals to one. The Sagehens started the scoring before Alyssa Fricker evened the tally a 1-1. Pomona-Pitzer then rattled off four unanswered scores to end the first quarter.
 
The Vikings bounced back over the next two periods. Trailing 7-1 with under a minute to play in the first half, Fricker added her second score of the day before Abbey Ellis struck with just nine seconds remaining. The Vikings remained within striking distance at the break with Pomona-Pitzer holding an 8-3 lead.
 
The second half was all Sagehens. The top-seeded team scored 13 combined goals in the third and fourth quarters. Augustana managed three more goals in the third period. Ocean Akau dented the twine with 6:47 remaining in the quarter. Fricker was then assisted by Victoria Guest to complete her hat trick. Charlotte Newport then deposited a goal for the Vikings' final score of the contest.
 
The Vikings dropped to 9-13 overall after the loss. Augustana will take on the loser of the second semifinal between Austin and Whitter tomorrow morning.