IRVINE, Calif. – The No. 7 University of Hawai'i women's water polo team (6-3, 0-0 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation) kicked-off the UC Irvine Invitational Saturday afternoon at the Corona del Mar High School pool, defeating No. 16 UC San Diego, 9-8 and falling to No. 2 UCLA 10-4.
In the morning, the Rainbow Wahine held on tight for the win against the Tritons. After trailing 3-2 in the first quarter, UH bounced back in the second, shutting out UCSD 3-0 to gain a 5-2 halftime lead. UCSD slowly inched in during the third, but the Rainbow Wahine outscored them 3-2 for a commanding 8-5 lead. The Tritons exploded for three goals in the fourth, but UH was able to hold them off by just one goal.
Junior Gabi Montellato Dias led UH against the Tritons with a season-high four goals while sophomore
Chloe Barr finished the match with a hat trick.
The Rainbow Wahine took an early advantage in the first quarter against UCLA, 2-1. However, the Bruins surged past in the second, outscoring UH 4-1 for a 5-3 lead at halftime. After scoring just one goal in the third, the Bruins blasted out another 4-1 run in the final period to finish 10-4.
Claire Nixon, Montellato Dias,
Paula Chillida Esforzado, and
Megan Ottoboni each scored one goal apiece for the Rainbow Wahine.
UH continues the UCI Invite on Sunday with two matches. In the morning the Rainbow Wahine will take on Arizona State to fight for a chance to compete in the fifth-place match. Their final game opponent and time will be determined after the morning's results.
No. 7 Hawai'i vs. No. 16 UC San Diego| Box Score | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
| Hawai'i | 2 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 9 |
| UCSD | 3 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 8 |
Hawai'i goals:
Gabi Mantellato Dias (4),
Chloe Barr (3),
Emily Carr,
Taylor MoldeUCSD goals: Kistler (4), Kirkland, Tittle, Guiliana, Boyer
Saves:
Sarah Logan (UH) - 2; Miller (UCSD) – 9
No. 2 UCLA vs. No. 7 Hawai'i| Box Score | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
| UCLA | 1 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 10 |
| Hawai'i | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 |
UCLA goals: Zwirner (2), Donohoe (2), Fattal, Schilling, Grab, Ferraro, Angemund, Pratt
Hawai'i goals:
Claire Nixon, Gabi Montellato Dias,
Paula Chillida Esforzado,
Megan OttoboniSaves: Hill (UCLA) - 6;
Sarah Logan (UH) - 4
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