IRVINE, Calif. - The fourth-ranked University of Hawai`i women's water polo team edged No. 9 UC Irvine, 6-5, today in a Mountain Pacific Sports Federation match at the Anteater Aquatics Complex.
The Rainbow Wahine (7-4, 5-2 MPSF) snapped the Anteaters (7-2, 1-1 MPSF) three-match win streak.
Angela Turnbull put UH on the scoreboard first at the 4:58 mark, netting her first of three goals as the Rainbow Wahine converted the first of 16 6-on-5 opportunities. UH scored five of its six goals with a man-up. Kelly Mason made it 2-0 conneting on her only goal two minutes later. UCI's Nicole Flacco cut the margin to one finding the back of the cage at 2:10 left in the first.
The Anteaters would take their only lead of the day as Jackie Prine and Jessica Lewis tallied goals to begin the second quarter. UH would regain the lead, 4-3, before halftime when Lisa van Raalte and Ryan Hanson-Swaner scored on man-up situations in the final minute.
The two teams traded goals in a hard-fought third quarter as Turnbull picked up her second goal, while UCI's Sarah Frost made the best of her only shot attempt of the day.
In the fourth quarter, Turnbull completed the hat-trick at the 6:49 mark giving UH a two-goal lead at 6-4. UCI's Julia Fancher capped the scoring with 2:48 remaining in the match.
UH goalie Meike De Nooy had another strong outing in net as recording nine saves. UCI goalie Lauren Machanis colleted 15 stops.
The Rainbow Wahine take on No. 12 UC Santa Barbara Saturday at 12:45 p.m. PST to open up play in the two-day UC Irvine Invitational. UH plays either No. 5 California or No. 14 UC San Diego in the second match of the day.
Game 11 - 3 p.m. PST
Scoring by Quarters 1 2 3 4 Final
Hawai`i 2 2 1 1 - 6
UC Irvine 1 2 1 1 - 5
UCI Goals: Nicole Flacco, Jackie Prine, Jessica Lewis, Sarah Frost, Julia Fancher.
UCI Goalie Saves: Lauren Machanis (15).
UH Goals: Angela Turnbull (3), Kelly Mason, Lisa van Raalte, Ryan Hanson-Swaner.
UH Goalie Saves: Meike De Nooy (9).
Records: Hawai`i (7-4, 5-2 MPSF), UC Irvine (7-2, 1-1 MPSF)
-UH-
