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HONOLULU – The No. 8 University of Hawai'i women's water polo team hung tough early before eventually succumbing  to No. 1 USC, 15-7,  in a non-conference match Saturday night at the Duke Kahanamoku Aquatic Complex.
 
UH (11-7) entered the match having won five of its last six contests, but couldn't maintain the momentum in just its second home match of the year. The former Mountain Pacific Sports Federation rivals played a tight first half with UH having serious thoughts of pulling an upset after trailing just 5-4 at the break.
 
The Trojans, however, scored the first four goals of the second half, part of a 7-1 run in the third quarter that sealed the deal. Monica Vavic scored all four of her goals in the decisive quarter as USC remained undefeated (16-0) with the win. Flora Bolonyai was a stalwart in goal for the Trojans with 12 saves. 
 
Freshman Paula Chillida Esforzado had an outstanding match for the Rainbow Wahine, leading all Rainbow Wahine scorers with four goals.
 
The Rainbow Wahine continue their five-match homestand when it hosts UC Santa Barbara in a Big West Conference contest on Thursday, March 28 at 6:00 pm.
 
 
Scoring By Period
USC    3          2          7          3          =          15
UH      3          1          1          2          =          7
 
UH Scoring: Paula Chillida Esforzado (4), Monika Eggens, Zoe Respondek, Amarens Genee
USC Scoring: Monica Vavic (4) , Kaleigh Gilchrist (2), Colleen O'Donnell (2), Hannah Buckling (2), Constance Hiller, Kelly Mendoza, Eike Daube, Anni Espar, Emilie Myers