ERIE, Pa. – With wins over Utica and Carthage, the Macalester College water polo team earned a spot in the championship game of the CWPA Tournament, hosted by Penn State-Behrend at the David M. Hallman III Aquatics Center Saturday and Sunday. The Scots, who won by scores of 15-3 and 13-5, will attempt to repeat as tournament champions on Sunday at noon Central against Connecticut College.

In the quarterfinal match against eighth-seeded Utica, Macalester scored the first five goals and built a 10-1 advantage through two quarters. The lead was too much to overcome for Utica, as the Scots easily advanced to the semifinals with a 15-3 victory. Junior Lucille Moran (Ann Arbor, Mich./Huron) and sophomores Oriana Galasso (Gresham, Ore./Central Catholic) and Cara Mullery (Palmetto Bay, Fla./MAST Academy) each scored three goals to lead Macalester. Seniors Brooke Finney (Grand Rapids, Mich./Jenison) and Hannah Gray (Pasadena, Calif./South Pasadena) tallied two goals apiece, while junior Natalie Hoffman (Seattle, Wash./Inglemoor) and first year Zoe Schopick (Winchester, Va./James Wood) also scored. In goal, junior Courtney Overland (Honolulu, Hawaii/Iolani) made seven saves.

In the semifinals, the Scots and Carthage were tied, 1-1 after one quarter when Macalester registered five consecutive goals to take control of the match. The Lady Reds notched the next two goals, but Moran tallied her fourth goal of the half to give the Scots a 7-3 lead after two quarters. After the teams exchanged goals to start the third quarter, Macalester scored the next five goals for an insurmountable 13-4 lead. Moran led the way with five goals, while Mullery had three goals. Galasso and Hoffman each scored twice, and Finney also contributed a goal in the victory. Overland finished with eight saves.

The Scots, who won last year's CWPA Tournament at home, defeated Connecticut College, 8-4 earlier this season. Fans can access the webcast of the championship match by clicking here.

MAC – 6 4 4 1 - 15
Utica – 1 0 1 1 - 3
Macalester goals: Galasso 3, Moran 3, Mullery 3, Finney 2, Gray 2, Hoffman, Schopick

MAC – 1 6 4 2 - 13
Car – 1 2 1 1 - 5
Macalester goals: Moran 5, Mullery 3, Galasso 2, Hoffman 2, Finney

CWPA Division III Championships
David M. Hallman III Aquatics Center, Penn State-Behrend (host)
*All times Central
Saturday, April 14
Game 1: #1 Macalester 15, #8 Utica 3
Game 2: #4 Carthage 17, #5 Grove City 2
Game 3: #7 Washington & Jefferson 8, #2 Monmouth College 6
Game 4: #3 Connecticut College 10, #6 Penn State-Behrend 5
Game 5: #5 Grove City 11, #8 Utica 6
Game 6: #6 Penn State-Behrend 9, #2 Monmouth College 8
Game 7: #1 Macalester 13, #4 Carthage 5
Game 8: #3 Connecticut College 7, #7 Washington & Jefferson 3

Sunday, April 15
Game 9: #8 Utica vs. #2 Monmouth College, 8:00 a.m. (Seventh-place)
Game 10: #5 Grove City 11 vs. #6 Penn State-Behrend, 9:20 a.m. (Fifth-place)
Game 11: #4 Carthage vs. #7 Washington & Jefferson, 10:40 a.m. (Third-place)
Game 12: #1 Macalester vs. #3 Connecticut College, 12:00 p.m. (Championship)