SAN JOSE, Calif. - The 7th ranked University of Hawai`i women's water polo team opened up the 2005 campaign with a 5-4 victory over No. 12 San Jose State today at the Aquatic Center on the campus of SJSU.

Hawai`i (1-0) took an early 3-0 lead in the first quarter on three goals by Beth Novick. SJSU's Rachel Rhodes cut the margin to two with a goal with 2:11 left in the period.

SJSU (2-1) cut the deficit to one as the Spartan's Mary Beth Cox scored with 1:57 remaining before the half.

The Rainbow Wahine got an early goal in the third from newcomer Monika Kruszona at the 5:43 mark to go up 4-2, but SJSU kept pace with a goal by Katie Morgan at the 2:02 mark. UH capped its scoring before the end of the third on Audrey Harrer's goal with 1:27 remaining.

The only scoring in the fourth quarter came from SJSU's Faviola Del Real with 28 seconds left in the game.

Hawai`i travels across town tomorrow as No. 3 Stanford opens its season. UH stays in Palo Alto for the Stanford Tournament Feb. 12-13.