HONOLULU - The eighth-ranked University of Hawai`i women's water polo squad were handed a 19-6 loss to the hands of No. 3 USC today in a Mountain Pacific Sports Federation match at the Duke Kahanamoku Aquatic Complex.

The Rainbow Wahine fall to 10-8 on the season and 6-3 in the MPSF, while the Trojans improve to 12-3 and 5-1.

USC jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first before UH's Megan O'Linn fired one through at the 1:11 mark. USC would then reel off six unanswered goals to lead 9-1, extending to the first minute of the third quarter.

Ryan Hanson-Swaner and Angela Turnbull scored back-to-back goals to bring the Rainbow Wahine back to within six, 9-3. However, the Trojans would score four more times in the final 2:55 of the quarter to lead 13-4.

USC picked up the first two goals in the fourth quarter until Turnbull scored her second of the match to make it 15-5. The Trojans would score four more times in the period while Maxie Groh found the back of the net for UH.

The Rainbow Wahine are without the service of Meike De Nooy, who leads the MPSF in saves per match, and Kelly Mason, the league's second leading scorer. UH is also missing Anna Sieprath and Amyh Logan. These four starters are with their respective countries participating at the World Aquatic Championships in Melbourne, Australia. Kristy Bagnall is also out this week with an injury.

Hawai`i's final home match of the season is March 31 against No. 4 California at the DKAC. UH then heads to the West Coast to finish off the regular season. The MPSF Championship is April 26-29 in Tempe, Ariz.