IRVINE, Calif. - The fourth-ranked University of Hawai`i women's water polo team took care of business this morning knocking off No. 19 Cal State Northridge, 13-5, on the opening day of the 2006 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Championship at the Anteater Aquatics Complex.

The Rainbow Wahine (15-9), the fifth seed in the championship, jumped on the Matadors early netting six goals in the first quarter and adding two more in the second for an 8-3 advantage at the half.

The two teams traded goals in the third, as UH put the game away with a four-spot in the final quarter for the final margin, 13-5.

Iefke Van Belkum led all scorers with four goals for Hawai`i. Kelly Mason and Lisa van Raalte added hat-tricks, while Anna Sieprath, Kristy Bagnall, and Amy Logan each added single goals. UH goalie Meike De Nooy had five saves for the Rainbow Wahine.

CSUN (12-20) was led by Allison Brookes' three goals. Heather van Hemert and Christine Cruz each scored a goal, while goalkeeper Graziella Ceredda made 10 saves.

Hawai`i battles California, who defeated Pacific 21-4 earlier, Friday at 4:15 p.m. PST in the quarterfinals of the MPSF Championship. The winner of this match has a leg up on one of the three at-large berths to the NCAA Championship should neither team win the title outright.

	

MPSF Championship - First Round 


 11:15 a.m. PST

Scoring by Quarters	1	2	3	4		Final

Cal State Northridge	3	0	1	1	-	5

Hawai`i		6	2	1	4	-	13



Goals by HAW:   Iefke Van Belkum (4), Kelly Mason (3), Lisa van Raalte (3), Anna Sieprath, Kristy Bagnall, Amy Logan.

HAW Goalie Saves:   Meike De Nooy (5).

Goals by CSUN:   Allison Brookes (3), Heather van Hemert, Christine Cruz.

CSUN Goalie Saves:   Graziella Caredda (10).

Records:  Hawai`i (15-9), Cal State Northridge (12-20)

-UH-