HONOLULU - The fifth-ranked University of Hawai`i women's water polo team got back on the winning track this morning with a 12-6 non-conference victory over No. 15 Hartwick (N.Y.) College at the Duke Kahanamoku Aquatic Complex.
Hawai`i improved to 11-7 overall while Hartwick fell to 17-8.
The Rainbow Wahine dominated the first half as Kristy Bagnall scored twice in the opening two minutes and All-American Iefke Van Belkum added another goal as UH led 3-0 after the first quarter.
UH came out strong again in the second quarter adding scores from Kelly Mason and Lisa van Raalte to go up 5-0 before Hartwick's Vonya Thomas found the net with 34 seconds before the half.
Van Belkum pumped in two quick shots early in the third quarter to give UH a 7-1 advantage as head coach Michel Roy began emptying his bench.
The Hawks Bronwen Knox scored at the 4:24 mark on a 4-meter penalty shot, one of her four scores, all coming in the second half.
UH's Van Belkum and Katie Thompson scored within 36 seconds of each other to put the Rainbow Wahine back on top by seven, 9-2. Hartwick added a pair of goals late in the third by Knox.
UH won the fourth quarter sprint and Anna Sieprath whipped in her only goal of the morning through the upper right corner of the net. The two teams then traded a pair of goals each to cap the scoring, 12-6 UH.
The Rainbow Wahine battle the New Zealand National Team in an exhibition match later this afternoon at 3:30 p.m. at the DKAC.
Game 18 - 9:00 a.m. HST
Scoring by Quarters 1 2 3 4 Final
Hartwick 0 1 3 2 - 6
Hawai`i 3 2 4 3 - 12
Goals by HAW: Iefke Van Belkum (5), Kelly Mason (2), Kristy Bagnall (2), Anna Sieprath, Emily Cox, Katie Thompson.
HAW Goalie Saves: Jamie Wendell (4).
Goals by HART: Bronwen Knox (4), Ellen Sevigny, Vonya Thomas.
HART Goalie Saves: Olivia Colebourne (4).
Records: Hawai`i (11-7), Hartwick (17-8)
