ROCK ISLAND -- The Augustana Vikings women's water polo team split a pair of home games to begin the 2025 season on Saturday. Augie fell to the McKendree Bearcats by a score of 9-5 before knocking off the Carthage Firebirds by a final of 14-4.

In game one vs. McKendree, the two teams played to a 2-2 tie through the first eight minutes of action before the visitors used a big second quarter to take an 8-3 advantage into the halftime break. Waiahuli Akau notched the game's first goal on a power play strike just 37 seconds in, with Charlotte Newport grabbing the second tally of the opening frame. Emma Blezien accounted for the final score for the Vikings in the first half.

The Bearcats added one to their cushion in a low-scoring third, out-scoring Augie 2-1 to begin the second half. Maggie Caliendo halted the McKendree momentum with a power play goal to close out the period. Augie held the visitors scoreless in the fourth, but mustered just one point on a strike by Mary King. 

Lizzie Pelzman stopped 12 shots in net for the Vikings in the loss.

In game two vs. Carthage, Augustana began the game with the first of three four-goal periods, seeing scores from Ocean Akau, W. Akau, and Newport within the first three minutes of action. The Firebirds added one of their own through the first eight minutes, but Augie led 4-1 entering the second. Each team scored twice in the ensuing period, with Anita Rodgers and Anais Jones collecting the goals for the Vikings. Augustana led 6-3 at the break.

The Vikings put up another four-spot in the third while holding Carthage scoreless to move the margin out to seven at a score of 10-3. Four different players scored in the quarter, with Cindy King beginning things with a goal just over a minute in. Jersey Merrick, Alayna Ickert, and Lauren Dickinson all contributed their first scores of the season in the third. Like the first, Augie put up a 4-1 differential in the fourth to complete the 10-point victory. Abbey Ellis and Sophie Arceneaux each joined the scoring column to help close out the win, while O. Akau and Rodgers secured the other two goals.

Susan Palmentera-Reid earned the win in net for Augie, while Ickert boasted five drawn exclusions.

Augustana is now 1-1 on the season with the results. The team will be back in action next weekend for the Macalester Invite.