Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 ERIE, Pa. -- The Augustana Vikings men's water polo team won a pair of games on Saturday to begin MPSF play, defeating the Washington & Jefferson Presidents by a score of 19-8 before taking down the Austin 'Roos by a final of 15-11.

In the opening game of the day, the Vikings raced out to a big opening-quarter lead, scoring seven times on their way to a 7-1 cushion. The Presidents notched the first goal of the game less than a minute in, but seven straight from Augie followed, which included tallies from six different players. Colin McDowell found the back of the net twice in the frame.

Another positive quarter and balanced attack from the Vikings in the second helped add onto their halftime lead. Augustana led 12-3 after 16 minutes of action. Each team added two goals in the third to keep the margin at nine, but another five-goal quarter in the fourth pushed the final differential out to 11. 

McDowell led the Augie attack against the Presidents with four goals, followed by three from Joseph Addison. Rhys Lomax also added three assists, while Henry Sothern earned the win in net after securing 18 saves.

In game two of the day versus the 'Roos, the Vikings found themselves down a point through one quarter. The defense shined in the second period, holding Austin without the benefit of a goal while adding four onto their total to take a 6-3 lead into halftime. The two teams played to a 3-3 tie in the third to keep the margin at three before a high-scoring fourth quarter ensued. Augie's six goals in the final frame countered Austin's highest scoring period of five, closing out the Vikings' win at its 15-11 final score.

Oskar Bannister boasted five goals on seven shots in the win, followed by three apiece from Addison and Ian Palmroos. Declan Sutton snagged 14 saves.

Augustana improves to 8-5 overall and 2-0 in league action with the victories. The team will be back in action tomorrow morning at 7 a.m. CDT against Penn State Behred.