By: Peter Borkowski
Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2
O'FALLON, Ill.. - On Saturday, Augustana College men's water polo (4-7, 0-0) headed south for the McKendree Mini, where they faced Salem University (4-8, 0-0) and Saddleback College (11-8-1, 0-3). While the Vikings could not keep up with Salem in a high-scoring affair, a fourth-quarter shutout led Augie to victory over Saddleback.
GAME ONE - SU 18-13 Augie
Inside the Box Score
How it Happened
Salem struck first at the 7:10 mark of the first quarter, but Ian Palmroos scored less than 20 seconds later to tie the game. After both teams scored once more, Augie took their first lead of the game at 4:08 thanks to a Luke Burger goal. Another Viking goal enlarged their lead to two, but Salem cut their deficit in half with a goal at 2:21. Both squads added one more goal in the final two minutes of the opening quarter to set the score at 5-4 in favor of the Vikings.
Two Salem goals opened the second quarter as they jumped ahead of the Vikings, 6-5. Brinkmeier scored an equalizer for Augustana at 6:47, but Salem took the lead back 20 seconds later. Three goals then occurred between 5:16 and 4:41, two of which belonged to Augie to tie the game at 8-8. Malte Faltstrom briefly gave Augustana another lead at 3:54, but Salem tied the game again at 2:40. That would be the last goal of the first half as they teams found themselves tied 9-9.
While the Vikings took the lead 17 seconds into the third, back-to-back Salem goals at 6:25 and 6:00 shot them back in front, 11-10. Another Salem goal at 5:07 built them a two-goal lead. Augie cut into the deficit with a goal at 2:53, but another pair of Salem scores made it 14-11 with 1:35 to play in the third. Palmroos added a goal in the final minute of the quarter, setting the score at 14-12 in favor of Salem.
Salem added to their lead with a goal at 7:09 before over four minutes passed without any goals. That drought would be broken by Salem at 2:57 with another score to up their lead to 16-12. Over the final 2:06 of the game, Salem would score another two goals while Augie added one to finalize Salem's 18-13 win over the Vikings.
GAME TWO - Augie 14-11 SC
Inside the Box Score
- Lomax scored another hat trick to lead the Vikings in goals.
- Brinkmeier and James Davis both had a pair of assists.
- Lawson Soukup made seven saves.
How it Happened
Saddleback opened the scoring at 7:06 before the teams split the first four scores. Back-to-back Saddleback goals starting at 5:08 opened a two-goal lead for them. Augie cut that lead in half with a Mason Landes goal at 3:24, but another two Saddleback scores bumped their lead up to three, 6-3. Brinkmeier closed the first with a goal to pull Augustana within two heading into the second frame.
After each scoring once to start the second, consecutive Viking goals from Uros Ramic and Brinkmeier tied the game at 7-7. Defenses largely controlled the second quarter as those were the only four goals scored in the period.
Saddleback retook the lead with a quick goal in the third quarter, but two straight Augie goals put them in front, 9-8. Saddleback responded with their own pair of goals to retake a 10-9 lead, which lasted just 15 seconds before Augustana tied the game again. The final goal of the third quarter belonged to Saddleback at 3:02 as they took a 11-10 lead into the final eight minutes.
Augustana managed to tie the match at 6:58 before Faltstrom put Augie in front with a goal at 5:30, which proved to be the game-winning goal as the Vikings shutout their opponents in the final quarter. Augie also added a pair of insurance goals to finalize their 14-11 win.
Up Next
The McKendree Mini concludes on Sunday, Oct. 11, for Augie. They face Mt. San Antonio at 9:20 a.m. before the host school, McKendree, at 2:40 p.m.
Follow the Vikings
Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Augustana men's water polo by following the team on Twitter at @augieathletics, on Facebook at Augustana Vikings Athletics, and on Instagram at @augiewaterpolo.
