HONOLULU - The No. 5-ranked University of Hawai`i women's water polo team extended its win streak to four-straight with a 12-8 victory over No. 9 San Jose State today in a rain-drenched Mountain Pacific Sports Federation match at the Duke Kahanamoku Aquatic Complex.
Hawai`i improved to 10-6 overall and 5-2 in the MPSF, while San Jose State fell to 8-10 and 3-4.
The Rainbow Wahine jumped out to a 4-0 lead after the first quarter on a pair of goals by Kelly Mason and single scores by Iefke Van Belkum and Lisa van Raalte. UH started senior Jamie Wendell, who saw her first action of the season in net for UH for the injured Meike De Nooy.
UH made it 5-0 at the 4:36 mark in the second on Emily Cox's goal. The Spartans scored their lone goal o f the half on a 6-on-4 shot from Rachel Rhodes, one of her three scores on the day.
UH head coach Michel Roy played his entire bench the third quarter as the Spartans netted four goals, three in the final 1:04 to close the gap to 9-5. UH's goal in the period came from Megan O'Linn.
In the fourth quarter, the starters for the Rainbow Wahine returned for the opening portion as Kristy Bagnall, van Raalte, and Anna Sieprath found the back of the net to put UH up 12-5. The Spartans rallied with three unanswered goals by Sarah Hovland, Rhodes, and Angella Riddle to cap the scoring, 12-8.
Today's match is part of a 10-match home stand for UH that includes three exhibition matches. UH's next opponent is No. 2 Stanford at the DKAC Tuesday, March 28 at 4:30 p.m.
Game 16 - 4:30 p.m. HST
Scoring by Quarters 1 2 3 4 Final
San Jose State 0 1 4 3 - 8
Hawai`i 4 4 1 3 - 12
Goals by HAW: Iefke Van Belkum (2), Kelly Mason (2), Amy Logan (2), Lisa van Raalte (2), Kristy Bagnall, Anna Sieprath, Emily Cox, Megan O'Linn.
HAW Goalie Saves: Jamie Wendell (7).
Goals by SJSU: Rachel Rhodes (3), Angella Riddle (2), Sarah Hovland (2), Alexis Higlett.
SJSU Goalie Saves: Krissy Hansell (2), Kendra Adama (3).
Records: Hawai`i (10-6, 5-2 MPSF), San Jose State (8-10, 3-4 MPSF)
-UH-
