LONG BEACH, Calif. - Goals came in threes during the Hawai'i women's water polo team's Day 1 matches at The Beach Invitational, Saturday, as the Rainbow Wahine opened with a 10-5 loss to host Long Beach State before defeating Arizona State, 6-4. UH's Beth Novick collected two hat tricks as the Rainbow Wahine closed Mountain Pacific Sports Federation play with a 4-7 mark, while dropping to 11-12 overall.

In Hawai`i's morning MPSF showdown, the Rainbow Wahine handled LBSU's (16-6, 6-4 MPSF) team speed to keep the match tight in the first half. Novick netted two goals in the second to knot the match at 4-all, but LBSU's Angelica Garcia responded 32 seconds later to give the 49ers a 5-4 lead they would not relinquish. An exhausted UH squad could not overcome the Beach's quick counterattack and crisp passing, as LBSU outscored Hawai`i 5-1 in the second half to run away with the victory.

UH's offense also started slowly against ASU (10-15), as Sun Devil goalie Jennifer Sanderson put on a defensive show, on her way to an amazing 17 saves. However, Hawai`i added to their 2-1 halftime lead with four second-half goals from Novick and Shannon Carroll to extend the lead to 6-3 with 4:59 left in the match. UH's defense did the rest, pressuring ASU into poor shot opportunities and extinguishing any hope of a Sun Devil comeback.

Novick, the MPSF leader in goals per game, led the way with six goals and three steals in the two matches, while Carroll posted a balanced performance on the day with four goals, two steals, and one assist.

Hawai`i concludes its road trip Sunday, April 18, with two more matches at The Beach Invitational. The Rainbow Wahine meet Pacific for the second time this season at 8:30 a.m. PDT, and wraps-up the tourney against UC San Diego at 11:30 a.m. PDT.


Hawai`i vs. Long Beach State
1-2-3-4=F
Hawai`i 2-2-1-0=5
Long Beach State 3-2-3-2=10

Hawai`i Scoring: Novick 3, Bagnall, Carroll
Long Beach State Scoring: Garcia 4, Gordin 3, Wawrzynski 2, Stewart
Goalie Saves: Amber Lumb (Hawai`i) 7, Hawkins (Long Beach State) 10

Hawai`i vs. Arizona State
1-2-3-4=F
Arizona State 1-0-2-1=4
Hawai'i 1-1-2-2=6

Hawai`i Scoring: Carroll 3, Novick 3
Arizona State Scoring: Bentley, Davis, Stevens, Wyborny
Goalie Saves: Amber Lumb (Hawai`i) 4, Sanderson (Arizona State) 17



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