Box Score REDLANDS, Calif. -- The Augustana Vikings men's water polo team earned its highest finish ever at the USA Water Polo DIII National Tournament on Sunday, claiming third place with a 9-7 victory over No. 7 ranked MIT.

The Engineers grabbed the first goal of the game, but Augie answered around the halfway point of the opening quarter with a tally by Mark Addison. MIT out-scored Augustana 2-1 the rest of the frame for a 3-2 lead after eight minutes of action. Ian Palmroose notched a score with four seconds remaining to keep the Vikings within a point.

In the second, Augie took control with a 3-0 margin to bring a 5-3 cushion into the halftime break. Alden Brinkmeier found the equalizing score three minutes into the period before Stevan Rasic's goal just 54 seconds later gave the Vikings the lead. Addison collected his second of the game with 64 seconds remaining to cap off the big quarter for Augustana. 

For the second time in the game, the Engineers posted a 3-2 quarter advantage in the third to trim the deficit to one entering the final frame. The two teams traded scores within the first minute of the third, with Augie seeing its goal come from a shot by Tyler Leslie. MIT secured the next two of the game to event the score at 6-6, but it was the Vikings who earned the last goal of the quarter as Colin McDowell broke the deadlock with an unassisted strike. Augustana led 7-6 with just eight minutes remaining. 

Rasic doubled the Vikings' lead early in the final period, but the Engineers inched back to within one on their next possession. Following nearly three minutes of scoreless action, Addison notched his third goal of the contest to move the score to its final of 9-7. Augustana ended the final 5:52 of the game without allowing a goal.

Declan Hutton earned the win in net with nine saves, while Addison led all players with three tallies. Both were named to the All-Tournament Team.

With the victory, Augustana claims third place at this year's tournament and finishes the season with a 16-7 record.