HONOLULU - The ninth-ranked University of Hawaii women's water polo team fell to seventh-ranked Long Beach State, 8-5, in a Mountain Pacific Sports Federation match Friday night at the Duke Kahanamoku Aquatic Complex.

Hawaii (7-8, 2-4 MPSF) used its tight defense to force turnovers and keep the 49ers at bay in the first half. Long Beach State (8-7, 2-3 MPSF) struck quickly on a goal by senior 2M Stacy Black just 1:30 into the game. Hawaii’s Chelsea Garner-Prohs tied it up less than two minutes later, but a 49ers goal late in the second quarter by sophomore driver Angelica Garcia put Long Beach State ahead 2-1 at the half.

Most of the scoring happened in the second half. The 49ers scored three goals to Hawaii’s two in the third period and took a 6-3 lead in the fourth on Garcia’s second goal of the night. Sophomore driver Erin Kocher put the Rainbow Wahine back into striking range when she scored on a rebound off 49er goalie Amanda Wightman to make it 6-4 with 4:13 left to play. But Long Beach State answered with a goal by Black, her second of the evening, to put the match out of reach with only 1:57 remaining.

After a time-out, Hawaii got a late goal by senior utility Karin van Hoff, but the 49ers managed another goal and ran out the clock.

The Rainbow Wahine got two goals each from van Hoff and Garner-Prohs, while Garcia scored three for Long Beach State.

Goals
Hawaii: Karin van Hoff (2), Chelsea Garner-Prohs (2), Erin Kocher (1).
Long Beach State: Angelica Garcia (3), Stacy Black (2), Ashley Richardson (2), Roberta Stewart (1).

Goalie Saves
Hawaii: Christa Tackaberry (4).
Long Beach State: Amanda Wightman (5).

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