KENOSHA, Wis -- The Augustana Vikings women's water polo team picked up two wins on the opening day of the CWPA West Tourney on Saturday. The Vikings conquered the Macalester Scots by a score of 7-5 before earning an 11-5 win over the Austin Kangaroos.

Game one against Macalester

Both teams remained scoreless after eight minutes of play. In the second, the Scots took an early lead after two goals within three minutes of each other. With 25 seconds on the clock. Braelyn Hill found the back of the net to create a 2-1 score entering the halftime break. 

Returning to action, Alayna Ickert scored quickly in the second period to even the game at two apiece. Three minutes later, Cindy King tallied a goal to overtake the advantage before Ickert added another point to the scoreboard. Macalester found two shots in the final two minutes to draw the score even at 4-4 heading into the final period. In the fourth, Carli Udovich secured the upper hand once again before Emma Blezien pulled the difference to two. The Scots got within one with two minutes on the clock, but Waiahuli Akau sealed the 7-5 victory with a shot in the final seconds of the game.

Ickert led the team with two goals, while Susan Pamentera-Reid finished with eight saves.

Game two against Austin

Akau scored first in the second game before Anais Jones grabbed back-to-back successful shots to create a 3-0 score after four minutes of action. A minute later, Blezien found the back of the net before Austin found their first goal. Ickert closed the first eight minutes of action with a goal to create a 5-1 game. In the second, the teams traded shots with Jersey Merrick putting up the shot for Augie. With 3:52 on the clock Hailey Sherman tallied her first goal to move the game to 7-2 entering the halftime break.

Returning to action, Sofia Bocalatte quickly found the back of the net, and the Kangaroos followed with one of their own. With 4:32 remaining, Elly Jo Fay tallied a goal to the score sheet before Austin closed the period with a successful shot to create a 9-4 score. In the fourth, Blezien put up another goal, and both teams traded points with Jones closing the game with an 11-5 score.

Jones led the team with three goals, while Blezien tallied two. Palmentera-Reid finished the game with 16 saves in their 32 minutes in goal.

With the two wins, Augie goes to 10-3 on the season and opens conference play with a 2-0 record. The Vikings will be back in action tomorrow for the final day of the CWPA West Tourney at Carthage.