HONOLULU - The University of Hawai`i women's water polo was successful in its 2005 home debut this evening defeating No. 11 Michigan, 6-5, at the Duke Kahanamoku Aquatic Complex.

Hawai`i (7-6) trailed Michigan (8-8) 2-1 after the first quarter and 3-2 at the half.

At halftime, head coach Michel Roy tried to motivate his squad.

"We really came out flat in the first half," the third year head coach said. "It was a long week for us playing six matches in four days."

Roy saw his squad respond with a little more fire and grit in the second half.

Monika Kruszona tied the game at three at the 4:52 mark with a quick flip from the 2-meter mark. UH retook the lead about two minutes later on a goal by Malia Tarayao to lead 4-3 at the end of the third quarter.

The fourth quarter had the most scoring as each team scored a pair of goals.

UH extended its lead to 5-3 on a goal two minutes into the fourth by Audrey Harrer, but Michigan responded one minute later to cut the lead to 5-4.

A final goal by Anna Sieprath at the 3:53 mark proved to be the difference as the Wolverines added a late goal with 32 seconds remaining on a penalty shot.

UH spread the scoring out among five players with Kruszona the only one scoring twice.

Roy was also without the services of goalie Meike De Nooy and utility player Iefke Van Belkum. Both athletes are in Barcelona, Spain, at the European World Qualification Tournament. Two-meter player Kruszona is joining them tomorrow.

De Nooy is the starting goalie for UH while Van Belkum is fresh off a 15-goal effort in last week's six matches.