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Women's Water Polo 4/22/2022 9:30:00 PM Bob Shreve, Assistant Director of Athletics Media Relations

Wiemken Scores Seven Goals but Gannon Rally Comes Up Short in Loss to Biola

FRESNO, Calif. – Nicole Wiemken (Napoleon, Ohio/Napoleon) matched her season high with seven goals but Biola was able to shut down the rest of the Gannon attack and move into the semifinals with a 14-8 win in the first round of the WWPA Championships on Friday. With the setback the Golden Knights drop into the consolation round and will face Fresno Pacific on Saturday.

Gannon, now 9-13, came into the tournament as the number three seed out of the Eastern Division with a 2-4 record. Biola was the number seed in the Western Division and now has a 12-15 overall record.

This was the first meeting between the two teams, and after an early 1-1 stalemate, with Wiemken accounting for Gannon's goal, the Eagles took control of the match with the next five goals. They led 5-1 after one period and added a goal two-and-a-half minutes into the second period for a 6-1 lead. Wiemken accounted for the only other two goals in the quarter on penalty shots as Biola led 6-3 at the half.

Gannon would not score again until early in the fourth quarter as Biola outscored the Golden Knights 5-0 in the third quarter to take an 11-3 lead. Gannon would stage a spirited comeback in the fourth quarter but was unable to get closer than five goals at 13-8. That came with 1:29 remaining in the match on Wiemken's seventh goal.

Wiemken, a senior, was named a WWPA All-Conference performer on Thursday, marking the third time she has been honored. She was named to the second team. Thanks to her seven goals she now has 68 goals on the season, which ranks sixth in a season. She also moved into sixth place in career goals with 185.

Ellie Velasco (Las Vegas, Nev./Arlington) accounted for Gannon's other goal, while Julia Kreidinger (Erie, Pa./Villa Maria) was credited with one assist, giving her 95 for her career. Veralie Naranjo led Biola with four goals, while Hanna Jordan and Rachel Spadt scored three apiece. Freshman Molly Sebunia (Erie, Pa./McDowell) started in goal for Gannon and had a pair of saves.

Gannon outshout Biola 28-23, but the Eagles enjoyed a .609 shooting percentage while Gannon came in at .321. Gannon was 2-of-9 on the power play and Biola 2-of-10.

Gannon returns to action at 1:45 p.m. on Saturday at the Fresno State Athletics Aquatics Center. They face a Fresno Pacific team that is 4-22 after an 11-9 loss to Salem on Friday. Fresno Pacific is the number four seed in the Western Division.

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Players Mentioned

#4 Julia Kreidinger: UTIL; Senior; Occupational Therapy

#18 Nicole Wiemken: UTIL/2D; Junior; Chemistry

#1A Molly Sebunia: G; Freshman

#8 Ellie Velasco: D; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#4 Julia Kreidinger
: Senior; Occupational Therapy
: UTIL

#18 Nicole Wiemken
: Junior; Chemistry
: UTIL/2D

#1A Molly Sebunia
: Freshman
: G

#8 Ellie Velasco
: Freshman
: D