PALO ALTO, Calif. - The University of Hawai'i women's water polo team opened its sixth season of competition with a 7-3 loss to No. 2 UCLA and a 20-3 victory over UC Santa Cruz, Saturday, in the first day of the Stanford Invitational. The Rainbow Wahine (1-1) are tied with USC for second place in Pool B, behind UCLA, who won both of its matches.

Hawai`i fell behind early after UCLA scored three goals in the opening period. The Rainbow Wahine got on the scoreboard with goals by Shannon Carroll, Karin van Hoff and Miria Whitford but still failed to post its first victory over the Bruins in 15 chances. Junior Amber Lumb kept the Bruins at bay with six goalie saves.

In the final match of the day, UH opened a 7-1 lead over UCSC after the first period en route to the fifth largest margin of victory in school history. Sophomore Danielle Mulford led all scorers with four goals followed by Lesley Merlo's three.

Hawai`i faces USC, Sunday, for a spot in the third place game. The Rainbow Wahine are 2-12 all-time against the Trojans.

UCLA vs. Hawai`i
Team 1 -2 -3 -4 -Total
UCLA 3 -2 -1 -1 -7
Hawai`i 0 -1 -1 -1 -3
UCLA Scoring: Natalie Golda 3, Robin Beauregard 2, Kristina Kunkel 2.
Hawai`i Scoring: Shannon Carroll 1, Karin Van Hoff 1, Miria Whitford 1.
Goalie Saves: Jaime Hipp (UCLA) 4; Amber Lumb (Hawai`i) 6.
6-on-5: UCLA 3-6; Hawai`i 0-4.



Hawai`i vs. UC Santa Cruz
Team 1 -2 -3 -4 -Total
Hawai`i 7 -4 -5 -4 -20
UC Santa Cruz 1 -0 -1 -1 -3
Hawai`i Scoring: Danielle Mulford 4, Lesley Merlo 3, Kristy Bangall 2, Shannon Carroll 2, Beth Novick 2, Miria Whitford 2, Tracy Andersen 1, Margaret Gnadt 1, Erin Kocher 1, Darcy Scott-Hosaka 1, Traci Trochininski 1.
UC Santa Cruz Scoring: Elizabeth Doerr 2, Sally Hansen 1. Goalie Saves: Megan Jefferey (Hawai`i) 5; Cristina Martinez (UCSC) 3.
6-on-5: Hawai`i 3-4; UCSC 0-1.



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