WASHINGTON, Pa. -- The Augustana Vikings women's water polo team started the CWPA Weekend with a 14-11 victory over the Washington & Jefferson Presidents on Friday. 

In the opening period, the teams traded goals with Augie outshooting the Presidents 3-2. Jersey Merrick found the back of the cage first to gain the early advantage. Washington & Jefferson evened the score before Hailey Sherman pulled back ahead at 2-1. The Presidents tied the game against, but Waiahuli Akau closed the first period with a goal to lead 3-2 after eight minutes of play. 

Washington & Jefferson scored first in the second before a four-point run from the Vikings elevated the team. Anais Jones started the run for Augie with back-to-back shots before Emma Blezien tallied one, and Sherman created a 7-3 game. The teams rallied for successful shots in the final minute, with Akau shooting past the goalie with 27 seconds on the clock to lead 8-4 entering the halftime break. 

Returning to action, the Presidents fired first before Simone Cairns found the back of the cage. Washington & Jefferson followed with two before Abigail Gatlin scored to move the game to 10-7. The home team collected the last goal of the period, but Augie led 10-8 heading into the final period. 

In the fourth, the Vikings outscored the Presidents by one goal with a 4-3 margin. Akau grabbed the first one in the period before Mary King added a point to the scoresheet to stretch the lead to 12-8. The teams traded successful shots with Gatlin being credited with the goal. Washington & Jefferson scored two, but Akau sealed the 14-11 victory. 

With the win, Augie improves to 14-3 on the season and starts CWPA Weekend 1-0. The Vikings will be back in action tomorrow for games against Wheaton (Mass.) and Conneticut.