SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The No. 9 University of Hawaii women's water polo got back on the winning track with a 8-7 win over  No. 15 UC Santa Barbara Saturday afternoon at Campus Pool. The Rainbow Wahine improved to 14-9 overall and 2-2 in the Big West while snapping a four-match losing streak

After falling victim to a comeback rally by Cal State Northridge less than 24 hours before, the Rainbow Wahine again found themselves in position of holding  on to a fourth-quarter lead. UH held a 7-4 advantage at halftime and an 8-6 lead going into the fourth, but the Guachos (10-12, 1-1 BWC) cut the deficit to one goal and had a pair of chances to tie it late in the game. But this time UH was able to preserve the win as senior goalkeeper Amy Carlson was able to make two key stops at point blank range in the final seconds of regulation.

Caity Lopes da Silva, Paula Chillida Esforzado and Claire Nixon each scored a pair of goals for UH. Carlson finished with six saves in the cage for the 'Bows.

The Rainbow Wahine concludes it three-match road trip when it faces La Verne  in a non-conference match on Sunday, April 6 at 12:00 p.m. PDT/9:00 a.m. HT.

 
#9 Hawai'I def. #15 UCSB, 8-7
Scoring By Period
                1             2              3             4              F              
UH          4             3              1             0              8
UCSB     3             1              2             1              7
 
Hawai'i Goals: Caity Lopes da Silva (2), Paula Chillida Esforzado (2), Claire Nixon (2) Mirella Coutinho, Chloe Barr
Hawai'i Saves: Amy Carlson 6