COLLEGE PARK, MD – The University of Hawai`i women's water polo team couldn't pull off the upset over top-ranked USC, and fell 17-5 in the national semifinal of the NCAA Championship on Saturday afternoon at the Eppley Recreation Center in College Park, MD.

 

The Rainbow Wahine had some early chances in the first quarter, but didn't capitalize, as the Trojans built a quick lead and never gave it up.

 

UH will now play in the third-place game on Sunday at 5 p.m. ET., and will face the loser of the Stanford-UCLA match.

 

“We had some opportunities early and we missed those chances,” Head Coach Michel Roy said. “USC is a great team, they have great depth and it showed today. Once you get down, it's tough to come back against them.”

 

The Trojans took an early lead on the Rainbow Wahine, scoring four goals in the first quarter, while UH missed some early opportunities to get on the board.

 

In the second quarter, UH played solid defense, but couldn't find the back of the net. USC scored two goals to go up 6-0, before Dagmar Genee scored on a power-play goal right before halftime.

 

In the third quarter, Carmen Eggens scored for the Rainbow Wahine and Genee added her second goal on a penalty shot, but USC continued to score in bunches. The Trojans scored six goals and led 12-3 after three.

 

USC continued to lead in the fourth quarter, as UH scored two goals, coming from Sivan Pardon and Samantha Motekaitis.

 

 

HAWAI`I – Dagmar Genee (2), Carmen Eggens, Sivan Pardon, Samantha Motekaitis

USC – Michelle Stein (3), Alexandra Kiss (3), Forel Davies (2), Kami Craig (2), Kristen Dronberger (2),  Nadia Dan (2), Kally Lucas, Sarah Van Norman, Kara-Leigh Huse

 

HAWAI`I – Serena Bredin (4), Danielle Ingram (1)

USC – Ilse van der Meijden (9)