STANFORD, Calif. - The University of Hawai'i women's water polo team sneaked past San Jose State, 10-9, in its opening match of the Stanford Invitational Saturday at Avery Pool. The fourth-ranked Rainbow Wahine (4-0, 2-0 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation) are scheduled to meet NCAA champion UCLA later in the day.

Junior Kelly Mason and freshman Leoni Van Der Molen each scored a hat trick for UH with three goals. Junior Lisa van Raalte added two goals.

The Rainbow Wahine led throughout the match but each time the Spartans rallied to tie. Senior Emily Cox scored the game-winner with 1:26 left.

The game was a defensive battle in the first half as the Rainbow Wahine held on to a slim 2-1 lead after one quarter and 3-2 at the half.

Freshman goalie Serena Bredin had five saves for Hawai'i.

On Sunday, the Rainbow Wahine are scheduled to face Michigan before playing one more match to conclude the tournament.

Match Statistics
Hawai’i – 2 1 3 4 = 10
San Jose State – 1 1 3 4 = 9

Hawai’i Goal Scorers: Mason 3, Van der Molen 3, Van Raalte 2, Cox 1, Turnbull 1
San Jose State Goal Scorers: Harberts, Moss, Vogt, Hannum, McKee, Torres

Goalie Saves: Bredin 5 (UH); Adama 8 (SJSU)

-UH-