STANFORD, Calif. – Facing a pair of top-five teams, the No. 6 University of Hawai'i women's water polo team suffered its first two setbacks of the year on the opening day of the Stanford Invitational at Avery Pool. The Rainbow Wahine (2-2) fell to No. 5 UC Irvine, 9-4, in the morning session, before succumbing to No. 2 Stanford, 16-5, in the afternoon session.
 
After combining for 33 goals in is first two wins of the year, UH found the going much tougher on Saturday, starting with its first match of the day versus conference rival UC Irvine (6-0). UH defeated UC Irvine twice in Big West action last year, including in the conference tournament finals, and the Anteaters exacted their revenge in an early-season non-conference tilt.  UCI held a 3-1 lead at the break, before pulling away with six goals in the second half.
 
In the second match, Stanford (2-0) proved too much for the Rainbow Wahine as the Cardinal jumped to a 5-0 lead after the first quarter and 10-1 lead by halftime. Senior Danielle Lewis was the lone bright spot for the team, tallying a hat trick (three goals) for the second straight day. UH has yet to defeat Stanford in 33 all-time meetings.
 
UH returns to tournament action on Sunday when it wraps up pool play against UC Davis at 8:00 a.m. PST. The Rainbow Wahine will then play in either the fifth- or seventh-place match later in the day.
 
 
#5 UC Irvine 9,  #6 Hawai'i 4
Feb.1, 2014 at Avery Pool
Stanford, Calif.
 
Scoring By Period
UCI     2         1         3         3          =          9
UH      1         0         1         2          =          4
 
UCI Goals – Bergesen 2, Cardey 2, Croghan 2, Mitchell, Pierandozzi, Warde
UH Goals – Chillida 2, Carr, Coutinho
Goalies Saves: - Yocum 10 (UCI); Carlson 7 (UH)
 

#2 Stanford 16,  #6 Hawai'i 5
Feb.1, 2014 at Avery Pool
Stanford, Calif.
 
UH      0         1        2         2          =          5
STA    5         5         3         3          =          16
 
Stanford Goals – K. Neushul 3, Dries 2, Jackovich 2, Steffens 2, Yelizarova 2, K. Dodson, Grossman, J. Neushul, Papa, Ross
UH Goals – Lewis 3, Edwards, Molde
Goalie Saves: - Stone 6, Dorst 2 (STA); Carlson 2, Logan 2 (UH)