Box Score ST. PAUL, Minn. -- The Augustana Vikings women's water polo team is heading to the USA Water Polo national championship tournament for the second season in a row after a Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) semifinal win over the No. 10 ranked Macalester Scots on Saturday. The Vikings won by a final of 12-4 to advance to Sunday's championship game.

The Vikings got off to a fast start, scoring five goals in the opening period while holding the Scots scoreless. Victoria Guest notched the game's first goal a minute in, followed by tallies from four different Augie players to close the frame. Augustana saw their five-goal lead cut to three after consecutive Macalester goals kicked off the second, but quickly earned it back with back-to-back scores from Charlotte Newport and Annie Opal Dickson to close out the half. Augie led 7-2 at the break.

Augustana extended their margin in the third, out-scoring Macalester 3-1 to move the advantage to 10-3 with eight minutes remaining. Casey Barragan, Jillian Hagmann, and Ocean Akau all notched goals in the frame. The Vikings posted a slight 2-1 differential in the fourth to close out the game as Hagmann and Barragan found the back of the net for the team's final points.

Barragan led the Augie offense with four goals, while Akau posted a team-high three assists. Lizzie Pelzman earned the win in goal, stopping 21 shots and swiping three steals.

WIth the victory, Augustana improves to 15-5 on the year. The win also clinches a spot in the upcoming USA Water Polo national tournament. The Vikings will take on No. 7 ranked Austin in Sunday's CWPA championship game. Start time is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.