IRVINE, Calif. - Fifth seeded Hawai`i pulled off the upset of the season as the Rainbow Wahine upset previously undefeated and No. 1 seed USC, 10-9, today in the semifinals of the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Championship at UCI's Anteater Aquatics Center.
The Rainbow Wahine (17-9) advance to Sunday's championship match for the first time in the history of the program.
"We learned a lot from earlier matches with USC this season," Michel Roy, the Rainbow Wahine's head coach, said. "I told our girls we have nothing to lose, so go out and shoot the ball and have some fun."
Today's win, marks just the third-ever win and the first victory over the Women of Troy since the inaugural 1998 season. UH snapped an 18-match losing streak to USC, including two loses earlier this season.
"We played with no fear and a lot of confidence today," the fourth-year head coach said.
Hawai`i, who never trailed in the match, began the scoring in the first quarter on Anna Sieprath's goal at the 5:30 mark. Moriah Van Norman tied it on USC's next possession, but UH's Kelly Mason countered on their next trip down the pool. USC tied it at two on Lauren Wenger's goal with 3:25 remaining. With 14 seconds left in the quarter, Iefke Van Belkum scored the first of her three goals to put UH up for good, 3-2.
Kristy Bagnall gave UH a two-goal lead just 61 seconds into the second quarter. USC's Cardenas scored on a 4-meter penalty shot to close to within one, but Bagnall got loose again with 3:51 left to give UH another two-goal cushion. USC's Veronika Bartunkova cut the deficit to one at the 2:39 mark as UH took a 5-4 lead into the half.
The Rainbow Wahine tallied four goals - two by Van Belkum, and one each from Lisa van Raalte and Katie Thompson - in the third quarter to take a 9-6 lead heading to the final quarter.
USC (25-1) rallied early opening the fourth quarter with two quick scores by Wenger and Brittany Hayes, but UH's Mason added her second goal at the 2:31 mark as UH held off a late goal by USC to win, 10-9.
UH goalie Meike De Nooy had a busy day making nine saves, including three stops when USC had a 6-on-5 advantage. USC goaltender Whitney Morgan picked up seven saves.
Hawai`i was led by Van Belkum's three goals, while both Mason and Bagnall scored two apiece. Hayes led the Women of Troy with three goals.
Hawai`i takes on third-seeded Stanford, who knocked off UCLA today, 5-4, for the MPSF Championship Sunday at 2:45 p.m. (11:45 a.m HST). The MPSF champion receives the league's automatic berth to the NCAA Championship at UC Davis May 12-14.
MPSF Championship – Semifinal
1:30 p.m. PST
Scoring by Quarters 1 2 3 4 Final
Hawai‘i 3 2 4 1 - 10
USC 2 2 2 3 - 9
Goals by HAW: Iefke Van Belkum (3), Kelly Mason (2), Kristy Bagnall (2), Anna Sieprath, Lisa van Raalte, Katie Thompson.
HAW Goalie Saves: Meike De Nooy (9).
Goals by USC: Brittany Hayes (3), Lauren Wenger (2), Kami Craig, Moriah Van Norman, Patty Cardenas, Veronika Bartunkova.
USC Goalie Saves: Whitney Morgan (7).
Records: Hawai‘i (17-9), USC (25-1)
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