HONOLULU - In its 2004 home opener, the Hawai`i women's water polo team suffered a heartbreaking 5-4 double overtime setback to UC Irvine, Saturday afternoon, at the Duke Kahanamoku Aquatic Complex. The Rainbow Wahine dropped to 1-2 in MPSF play, 4-4 overall.

Junior Beth Novick scored a team-high two goals, including the match-tying goal with :01 seconds left in the fourth quarter that sent the match into overtime. The loss marks UH's first defeat to UC Irvine in six meetings.
The first half was a showcase of defensive play by both teams. UH's Amber Lumb and UC Irvine's Sunceray Chamblee kept both teams scoreless throughout the first quarter. The two teams battled it out in the second but it was the Anteaters leading 2-1 going into the half.
The match went back and forth throughout the second half. Late in the third quarter UH's Makana Whitford tied the game at 2-2. UCI took a 4-3 lead with 1:28 left in the fourth quarter on Michelle Carey's goal. With time running out, Novick scored a last second goal from an assist by Whitford, sending the match into overtime.
At the end of the first overtime the score remained at 4-4, as both teams continued to play strong defense. But UCI broke through as Aleah Amr found a hole and scored with 0:22 remaining, sealing the Anteaters 5-4 victory.
The Rainbow Wahine hit the road again for a pair of MPSF matches against San Diego State and Arizona State, Feb. 26 & 27. The Rainbow Wahine will then participate in the UC Santa Barbara Tournament, Feb. 28-29.


Game Summary
Team 1-2-3-4-OT1-OT2=Total
UC Irvine 0-2-1-1-0-1=5
Hawai`i 0-1-2-1-0-0=4
UC Irvine Scoring: Erica Horman-2, Rebecca Wedemeyer, Michelle Carey, Aleah Amr
Hawai`i Scoring: Beth Novick-2, Shannon Carroll, Makana Whitford
Goalie Saves: Sunceray Chamblee-UC Irvine (6), Amber Lumb-Hawai`i (7)


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