HONOLULU - The Rainbow Wahine water polo team dropped its home opener to fifth-ranked San Jose State, 8-5, in a Mountain Pacific Sports Federation match Saturday night at the Duke Kahanamoku Aquatic Complex.

A crowd of about 150 weathered second-half showers and saw 12th-ranked Hawaii (7-5, 1-2 MPSF) trail for most of the match. San Jose State (10-4, 2-1 MPSF) jumped out to a 4-1 lead off goals from four different players, two from sophomore 2M Christine Welsh, to take a 6-2 halftime lead.

The Rainbow Wahine rallied back in the third period on two quick goals by Beth Novick and Chelsea Garner-Prohs to make 6-4 Spartans, but Welsh scored her third goal of the evening with 1:34 left in the third period to put the Spartans up, 7-4.

Hawaii had a chance to cut the lead to one, but the Spartans defense created missed opportunities and turnovers late in the match to halt the comeback.

Novick led the Rainbow Wahine with three goals, while Garner-Prohs added two. Welsh led the Spartans with four goals.

Hawaii will meet top-ranked Stanford in a conference match tomorrow at the Duke. The opening spring is scheduled for 3 p.m.