Scoresheet

HONOLULU - The No. 6 University of Hawai`i women's water polo team coasted past No. 19 San Diego State, 8-2 Sunday afternoon at the Duke Kahanamoku Aquatics Complex. UH improves to a 12-7, 1-1 Big West Conference record.

 Junior Paula Chillida Esforzado had an explosive performance netting with a season-high five goals for the Rainbow Wahine. Additionally, freshman goalie Ymane Hage held down the cage with a career-high 11 saves.

The Rainbow Wahine gained an early advantage in the first quarter with sophomore Claire Nixon scoring the first goal of the match within the first two minutes of play. However, the Aztecs quickly evened it up after Caroline Israels hit the net from five-meters out. With just 10 seconds left in the period, Chillida Esforzado scored just in time to give UH a 2-1 lead before the buzzer. 

After a quiet start to the second quarter, the Aztecs committed two exclusion fouls in a row to give UH a 6-on-4 advantage with Nixon to score her second goal of the afternoon, putting UH up 3-1. Chillida Esforzado hammered in another last-minute goal with 30 seconds on the clock to give the Rainbow Wahine a 4-1 lead by halftime.

Chloe Barr instantly found the net to open the second half, extending UH's lead to a commanding 5-1. After SDSU's Nikole Ferrari committed her third exclusion foul, Chillida Esforzado converted the power play once again cementing a 6-1 advantage.

In the final quarter Chillida Esforzado blasted out another goal straightaway. Following a Rainbow Wahine exclusion, Israels was able to put one more point on the board for SDSU. However, Chillida Esforzado capped off the match with her fifth goal of the afternoon, ending it at 8-2 for UH.

The Rainbow Wahine return to Big West play next week as they host UC Santa Barbara, April 4 at the Duke Kahanamoku Aquatics Complex. Following the match, three Rainbow Wahine will be honored in the Senior Night ceremony.  

Scoring By Quarters
UH - 2 2 2 2 = 8
SDSU - 1 0 0 1 = 2

UH Scoring: Paula Chillida Esforzado (5), Claire Nixon (2), Chloe Barr (1)
SDSU Scoring: Caroline Israels (2)

UH Saves: Ymane Hage (11)
SDSU Saves: Rachel Mitchell (6)

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