HONOLULU - The Hawai`i women's water polo team defeated Japan Junior, 9-3, on Day 2 of the 2004 Rainbow Classic, early Saturday morning, at the Duke Kahanamoku Aquatic Complex. Hawai`i improved its tournament record to 2-1.

Junior Beth Novick led the Hawaii offense with three goals, as the Rainbow Wahine overpowered Japan Junior from the opening period. Novick gave Hawai`i a 3-1 lead, scoring two goals in the first quarter. Japan Junior kept it close with a goal at the 3:10 mark in the second quarter to cut the Hawaii lead to 3-2. With time winding down, UH's Makana Whitford scored the first of her two goals in the match, to give the Rainbow Wahine a 4-2 lead heading into halftime.

The Rainbow Wahine went on an offensive outburst in the third, outscoring Japan Junior 4-1, with goals from Novick, Whitford, Darcy Scott-Hosaka, and Danielle Mulford. In the fourth quarter, Scott-Hosaka scored her second goal of the match while the Rainbow Wahine held Japan Junior scoreless, sealing the 9-3 victory.

Hawai`i wraps up the Rainbow Classic, Sunday, taking on Quebec at 9:30 a.m. at the Duke Kahanamoku Aquatic Complex.


Japan Junior vs. Hawai`i
Team 1-2-3-4=Final
Japan Junior 1-1-1-0=3
Hawaii 3-1-4-1=9

Hawai`i Scoring: Beth Novick-3, Makana Whitford-2, Darcy Scott-Hosaka-2, Danielle Mulfurd
Japan Junior Scoring: N/A
Goalie Saves: Hawaii - Amber Lumb-7, Leanna Hahn-4; Japan Junior - N/A



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