Box Score

IRVINE, Calif. – The top-seeded University of Hawai'i women's water polo team opened the 2013 Big West Tournament with a 7-2 win over No. 8 seed Pacific Friday afternoon at the Anteater Aquatics Center.  With the win UH advanced to the tournament semifinals where they will meet No. 4 seed Long Beach State at 3:30 p.m. PT (12:30 HT).
 
Making their Big West Tournament debut, the Rainbow Wahine (19-9) gave their best defensive effort of the year, holding the Tigers (16-14) to just two goals, an opponent season low. After surrendering a goal late in the first quarter, UH shutout the Tigers for the next two quarters as the Rainbow Wahine slowly pulled away in a defensive battle.
 
Junior goalie Amy Carlson tallied eight saves in the win. Offensively, UH was led by Amarens Genee, Caity Lopes da Silva and Zoe Respondek, who each scored two goals. Danielle Lewis also found the back of the net for UH.
 
After pulling out a tight 12-11 win earlier this month in regular-season meeting, UH was again engaged in a close match with UOP early on. The teams were tied 1-1 after the first quarter and UH held a 2-1 lead at the half. However, UH exploded for four unanswered goals after the break, taking an insurmountable 6-1 lead early in the fourth quarter. 
 
UH won despite not getting a single goal from Monika Eggens, the conference's top scorer. It was just the second time in 28 matches this year the senior attacker was held scoreless.
 
Hawai'i 7, Pacific 2
April 26, 2013 at Anteater Aquatics Center
Irvine, Calif.
 
Scoring By Period
UOP    1          0          0          1          =          2
UH       1          1          3          2          =          7
 
UOP Scoring: Malena Prlain, Rebecca Wright
UH Scoring: Caity Lopes da Silva (2), Amarens Genee (2), Zoe Respondek (2), Danielle Lewis
Saves: UOP- Michele Relton (13); UH - Amy Carlson (8)