Scoresheet
Photo Gallery
HONOLULU – The No. 5 University of Hawai`i women's water polo team (10-5, 2-1 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation) dropped its first home match this evening to No. 3 USC, 5-4 in overtime for conference play.
Following a 6-on-5 play, senior
Leonie Van Der Molen scored the first goal of the match for UH. The Trojans (12-3, 3-1 MPSF) answered back with another power-play goal of their own by Joelle Bekhazi, tying the score 1-1 to end the first quarter.
There was little action in the second quarter, but following a penalty call on USC, freshman
Kelly McKee scored a penalty shot, giving the Rainbow Wahine a 2-1 halftime advantage.
The Trojans tied the score again to begin the second half off a power-play goal by Sarah Van Norman, but the Rainbow Wahine took the lead back 3-2 again after sophomore
Amarens Genee scored with 1:32 left in the third quarter.
USC rallied back again in the fourth, tying the score 3-3 within the first minute of play. But with 4:41 on the clock,
Amarens Genee scored to steal the lead back from the Trojans again 4-3.
The Trojans answered back again with just two seconds left of regulation, following a perimeter shot by Bekhazi seven-meters out, USC tied the score 4-4, sending the game into overtime.
Following a silent first overtime period, USC stole the lead in the second overtime period when Patricia Jansco muscled in a goal with 37 seconds left. The Rainbow Wahine couldn't answer back in time and fell to the Trojans 5-4.
The Rainbow Wahine continue their home-stand with an exhibition matches against Canada tomorrow, Mar. 19 at 6:00 p.m. and Monday, Mar. 21 at 6:00 p.m. at the Duke Kahanamoku Aquatics Complex. UH continues its regular season play against San Diego State on Thursday, Mar. 24 at 6:00 p.m.
UH 1 1 1 1 0 0 = 4
USC 1 0 1 2 0 1 = 5
USC Scoring: Joelle Bekhazi 2, Sarah Van Norman, Patricia Jansco, Kristen Dronberger
USC Saves: Flora Bolonyai 12
-UH-
