Claremont, CA - May 10 - The
inaugural USA Water Polo Women's Division III Collegiate Championship wrapped
up Sunday at Haldeman Pool with the Pomona-Pitzer Sagehens capturing the
National Championship. The Sagehens defeated Augustana College and Whittier College
on their way to the title.
The Championship final on Sunday
afternoon was a tight affair from start to finish. The Pomona-Pitzer Sagehens
rode their home crowd to three quick goals in the first three minutes of play
before the Whittier Poets got on the board behind two goals from senior Natasha
Velez. After the first quarter, Pomona-Pitzer led 4-2. In the second, each team
scored only once to bring the halftime score to 5-3 in favor of the Sagehens.
Sophomore Abigail Wiesenthal scored the only goal of the third period just over
one minute in to increase the Pomona-Pitzer lead to 6-3.
In the final frame, senior Amelia
Bennett scored for Whittier within the first minute to cut the deficit to two
before senior Lucie Abele countered for Pomona-Pitzer just over two minutes in
to increase their lead back to three. Whittier senior Alex Lopez scored thirty
seconds later to bring the difference back to two, 7-5. That is where the score
remained for the next three minutes of the quarter until Sagehen sophomore Namlhun
Jachung stole the ball and took it the distance of the pool to score on the
counter attack with 1:54 remaining. That goal pushed the Pomona-Pitzer lead
back to three and effectively ended Whittier's hopes at a comeback. The Poets
tacked on a power play goal with 0:29 seconds to go, but the Sagehens held on
for the 8-6 win.
Namlhun Jachung was named MVP after
scoring two goals, handing out four assists, and earning six exclusions in the
final. The Sagehens were aided by Abigail Wiesenthal and Lucie Abele, who each
scored twice in the victory as well. Alex Lopez, Amelia Bennett, and Natasha
Velez scored two goals apiece to make up the entirety of the Poets' scoring. A
replay of the final can be seen by clicking here.
Sunday morning brought the third place
game between Austin College and Augustana College. The Austin College 'Roos
were supported by a balanced effort as they claimed third place over Augustana,
12-9. Seniors Presley Woods and Brooke Le were joined by juniors Aubrey Pasky
and Lauren Olivier in scoring twice against the Vikings. Augustana got three
goals from freshman attacker Alyssa Fricker while freshman goalkeeper Lizzie
Pelzman recorded nine saves.
All-Tournament Team
MVP: Namlhun Jachung, Pomona-Pitzer
Abigail Wiesenthal, Pomona-Pitzer
Lucie Abele, Pomona-Pitzer
Alexys Puche, Whittier
Natasha Velez, Whittier
Brooke Le, Austin
Lexi Wong, Austin
Lizzie Pelzman, Augustana
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