LOS ANGELES - The University of Hawaii Rainbow Wahine water polo team got eight goals from six different players but fell short with a 9-8 loss to San Diego State in the seventh-place match of the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Championships at McDonald’s Swim Stadium at USC.

The seventh-seeded Aztecs led 5-3 at the break and 7-5 after three periods. Eighth-seeded Hawaii (14-15) scored three goals in the fourth period, but the Aztec defense held on thanks to goalie Heather Stiles who finished the match with nine saves.

It was the final match of the season for Hawaii (14-15) and the last career matches for seniors Christa Tackaberry (goalie) and Karin van Hoff (utility). Tackaberry finished her career with 935 saves, and 137 matches played (3rd all-time). Van Hoff scored 83 career goals (8th all-time) in two seasons in the green and white. The match also concluded the first season for UH Interim Head Coach Cindy Rote who owns a 14-15 overall and 5-6 MPSF record in her first year at the helm of a Division I program.

Stanford and UCLA will meet at 4:15 p.m. (Pacific time) in the MPSF Championship, with the winner getting an automatic berth into the four-team NCAA Championship on May 11-12, also hosted by USC.

Game #17 (7th Place)
Hawaii (14-15) 1-2-2-3---8
San Diego State (20-14) 3-2-2-2---9

Hawaii Goals: Karin van Hoff 2, Chelsea Garner-Prohs 2, Tracy Anderson, Erin Kocher, Darcy Scott-Hosaka, Beth Novick.
San Diego State Goals: Amber Prestegard 4, Casey Finnegan 3, Dominique Delgado, Ashleigh May.
Hawaii Saves: Christa Tackaberry 7.
San Diego State Saves: Heather Stiles 9.

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